The correct answer is A: 1, 2 and 3 only.
- Statement 1 is CORRECT: GVA of agriculture and allied sectors at current prices rose from ₹1,502 thousand crores in 2011-12 to ₹4,878 thousand crores in 2023-24 — a growth of approximately 225%. This reflects both real output growth and inflationary trends.
- Statement 2 is CORRECT: GVO at constant prices increased by around 54.6%, from ₹1,908 thousand crores to ₹2,949 thousand crores, indicating real productivity growth in the sector after eliminating inflation.
- Statement 3 is CORRECT: Banana overtook mango in 2023-24 as the top contributor to GVO in the fruit group. Bananas are grown year-round, have a shorter gestation period, and serve both domestic and export markets consistently. Mangoes, being seasonal and weather-dependent, have a relatively lower GVO despite popularity.
- Statement 4 is INCORRECT: The contribution of fishing and aquaculture has not declined. It has shown consistent growth driven by increasing seafood demand, technological advancements, and government support for the blue economy.
Note: GVA measures the contribution of a sector excluding taxes and subsidies. GVO represents the total value of goods and services produced including intermediate consumption.