The report attributed the growth was mainly due to the satisfactory rainfall received during the sowing period and the vegetative growth stage of kharif crops in all parts of the state.

Within agriculture, the tentative estimates of 2013-14 indicated an increase in production of food grains, oilseeds and cotton by 38 per cent, five per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, over the previous year, the report said.

During 2013-14 period, the state managed to cut food grain subsidy to $41 million, as compared to $51.61 million in the same period last year.

In 2012, the agriculture sector had a negative growth of one per cent, owing to the drought.

Of the total sugar factories in the country, 31 per cent are located in the state. As on 31 March 2014, out of the total sugar production in the country, Maharashtra’s share was 32 per cent. Sugar production in the state grew at 15 per cent vis-a-vis last year.

By the end of March 2013, there were 26,527 cooperative dairy societies and 76 cooperative dairy unions in the state. About 51 per cent cooperative dairy societies and about 53 per cent dairy unions incurred losses.

As on 31 March 2013, Maharashtra had 3,113 primary fisheries cooperative societies, 37 fisheries cooperative unions and two federations.

The number of members in these institutions is 333,000 and their working capital amounted to $42 million.

The institutions selling fish and fish products decreased to $74.88 million in 2012-13, as against $88.20 million in 2011-12.

The state approved $176.24 million in foreign direct investment on 173 projects of the food processing industry between August 1991 and March 2012, the report adds.