State GSDP grew at 14.28% GSDP (2014-15) at current prices. Agriculture and allied services play a very important role in the development of the state. About 80% of the population is rural and depends upon agriculture and allied activities for livelihood. 44% of the state area is under forest cover with an abundance of processable Agri produce.

The key production statistics for the state (the year 2015-16) are presented below:

Production Cluster of the state:

Agricultural markets in Chhattisgarh:

• 69 Agricultural markets
• 14 Mandis in eNAM
• 10 Farmer Producer Organisation
• 116 Subagricultural markets

Key market highlights

• Fruit market - established in Durg, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Tulsi (Raipur), Bilaspur & Pakhanjur
• Model market – established in Dhamtari, Kurud, Rajnandgaon, Kabirdham & Mungeli
• Farmer shopping mall - established for the benefits of farmers and market workers in Rajnandgaon where fertilizers and agricultural produces are sold

The fruit and Vegetable Processing sector is regulated by the Fruit Products Order 1955, which is administered by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GOI. The main objective is to lay down the quality standards to manufacture fruit and vegetable products maintaining sanitary and hygienic conditions in the premises. It is mandatory for all manufactures of fruit and vegetable products including some non-fruit products like non-fruit vinegar, syrup, and sweetened aerated water to obtain a license under this order. 

Geographical Indication of Agricultural Processing in Chhattisgarh:

The below Figures shows the statistics and Map representation of Processing Clusters in Chhattisgarh:

• Around 80% of employment in the state is dependent on Agriculture, with over 3.7 million farming families, according to the state’s Economic Survey 2019-20. The state’s position as the ‘Rice Bowl of Central India’ and its reliance on agriculture has led to brisk growth in the food processing industry as a special-thrust industry.
• Non-Basmati Rice is the most exported commodity from the state. Its exports reached US$ 247.18 million in FY19 and US$ 184.70 million between Apr-Dec 2019.
• Bharat Agro mainly manufactures Cassia and Guar products and trades in spices, pulses, oilseeds, and other agro products.
• The company operates India’s second-largest Cassia Tora Splits manufacturing facility in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The facility was established in 2004.
• Agricons Agro Producer Company Limited was started in 2005 as Chhattisgarh Agricon Pvt. Ltd with various farmers as its shareholders
• Chhattisgarh is among the richest Indian states in terms of mineral wealth, with 28 varieties of major minerals including diamonds. It is the only state in India that produces concentrated tin. Rich deposits of bauxite, limestone, dolomite, and corundum are found in the state, making it the ideal location for low-cost production of end products such as cement and aluminum.
• NMDC is the country’s single-largest iron ore producer and exporter. It produces about 30 million tonnes of iron ore from its fully-mechanized mines. The company operates two mines at Bailadila in Chhattisgarh. In 2014-15, the company produced 304.41 lakh tonnes of iron ore, 28,994 tonnes of sponge iron,  and 35,085 carats of diamonds.