Indian agriculture the only silver lining as economy posts steepest contraction

Indian agriculture and allied activities registered a growth rate of 3.4 per cent at constant prices in the first quarter of 2020-21, the latest quarterly estimates of GDP released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) revealed.

It is to be noted that Indian economy posted its steepest contraction on record in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal year. However, farming turned out to be the sole bright spot amid the dismal GDP performance of other sectors.

Farm sector growth in the first quarter of 2019-20 was 3 per cent at constant prices.