Kerala Agriculture and Allied Sectors

The Agriculture and Allied Sector is also known as the primary sector or the extractive sector. The primary sector in Kerala relies heavily on Agriculture, Cooperatives, Livestock, Water Resources, Food Security and Public Distribution System, Environment, Mining, Fisheries and Forestry. This sector contributes roughly 9.5% to 14% of the state's economic output. According to the Department of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of Kerala, in the agro-allied sectors (agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries), Gross State Value Added (GSVA) at 2011-12 prices increased to 6.59 percent in 2024-25 as against 6.34 per cent achieved in 2023-24. Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current price grew at 9.97 percent in 2024-25 as against 9.3 in 2023-24. Similarly, GSVA at current price grew at 10.08 percent in 2024-25 as against 9.19 in 2023-24. Kerala is placed among the top ten States in India with high per-capita GSDP. Primary sector registered a strong growth of 2.36 percent in 2024-25, as against 0.24 percent in 2023-24. 

Agriculture

Agriculture has strong linkages between animal husbandry, dairy, irrigation, fisheries, industry, agro-processing, and trade make it a vital driver of inclusive and sustainable economic development. Kerala’s agriculture is distinct due to diverse agro climatic conditions that support the cultivation of plantation crops, cash crops, spices, horticulture crops and food crops. The extent of agricultural land in the state is shrinking. The shift from food crops to non-food crops and the increase in land use for non-agricultural purposes are challenges facing Kerala. According to DES, Cropping Intensity (CI) of the State in 2024-25, Coconut constituted the major share of the total cropped area with 30.44 percent followed by rubber with 21.78 per cent. Rice constituted 7.01 per cent of the total cropped area. Plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber and cardamom constituted 28.22 per cent of the total cropped area. The area of ginger, turmeric, cashew nut and sweet potato recorded an increase in production in 2024-25 compared to previous financial year.

Cooperatives

The co-operative movement in Kerala has shown steady progress and continues to support community development and social well-being. Co-operatives improve the economic conditions of different sections of the population, particularly weaker and marginalised groups in rural areas. Kerala has a massive network of cooperative societies. Co-operative societies are classified based on area of operation, nature of work, authorities, and functions. There were 16,429 co-operative societies in Kerala as on March 31, 2025. Of these, 12,278 societies were functional, while the remaining societies were non functional. The cooperatives are broadly divided into credit and non-credit types. The Credit cooperatives provide financial support and loans to members. The Co-operative Credit structure in Kerala comprises of Kerala Bank, Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society (PACS), Farmers Service Societies (FSS), Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (KSCARDB), and Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs). The Non-Credit Cooperatives focus on production, distribution, and specific welfare services. Consumer Co-operatives, Marketing Co-operatives, Agricultural and Dairy Co-operatives, Housing Co-operatives, Industrial and Processing Co-operatives, Fishery Co-operatives, Labour Contract Co-operatives etc are examples of Non-Credit Cooperatives. Consumer co-operatives form the largest group, with 4,609 societies, of which 3,736 were functioning. Consumer Co-operatives supplies essential and consumer goods to the public at reasonable prices.

Livestock

The livestock sector is an important part of the global food system and the economy, and it supports the livelihoods of a large population. According to the 2024-25 report by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala, although the Gross Value Added (GVA) from the livestock sector has increased, the sector's share in the state's total GVA has declined. Milk, meat, and eggs are the primary products of the state's livestock sector. The majority of milk produced in Kerala comes from crossbred cows (92.58%), while indigenous cows contribute only 0.08%. Goat milk accounts for 5.19% of production, with the remainder produced by indigenous cattle, buffaloes, and indigenous buffaloes. The State produced a total of 25.61 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of milk in 2024-25 against a requirement of 33.86 LMT, indicating a deficit of around 31 percent, or approximately 8.25 LMT. 

Kerala ranks fourteenth in egg production in India. According to the estimates of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics - 2025, the production of egg increased from 224.8 crore in 2022-23 to 251.4 crore in 2024-25. By considering demand, Kerala’s egg production remains low with average percapita availibality of egg is 70. However the state has made a significant growth and registered 4.52 percent which is above national growth rate of 4.44 per cent in 2024-25. Of the total egg production in the state, 73.9% comes from improved breeds of poultry and 21.1% from indigenous breeds. Indigenous and improved duck breeds contribute 2.7% and 2.2% respectively to the state's total egg production. Backyard poultry farming accounts for 99.7% of the eggs produced in the state, while commercial poultry farming contributes only 0.27%. Kerala’s contribution to the total meat production in the country was 4.98 per cent in 2024-25 (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025). Kerala ranks 8th position in meat production in the year 2024-25 (BAHS 2025). According to the report of Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Kerala, the total meat production in 2024-25 was 522.76 MT. The total requirement of meat in the State in 2024-25 was 880.33 MT. As per the estimates of National Accounts Statistics (NAS) 2024, the contribution of kerala in livestock in total agriculture and allied sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) by economic activity at constant (2011-12) prices increased from 29.93 percent in 2022-23 to 30.73 per cent in 2023-24. 

Water Resources

Food Security and Public Distribution System

Environment

Mining

Fisheries

Forestry