Farm sector to grow slower than expected in 2016-17 at 4.4%

Crops including fruit, vegetables account for 60% of GDP in agriculture, forestry, fishing sector

The country's gross value added (GVA) for agriculture and allied sectors in 2016-17 is expected to grow by 4.4 per cent, higher than the 0.8 per cent of 2015-16 but much less than the earlier market expectation of over five per cent.

Growth in the December quarter is expected to be six per cent, with record Kharif foodgrain production after a good south-west monsoon. The ministry of agriculture estimates Kharif grain output at a record 137.51 million tonnes.

The GVA has been computed taking into the account the second advanced estimate, issued on February 15, which included the rabi harvest