New Delhi, April 2 -- A growth of more than 4% in farm output, which now accounts for 18% of the country's economy, is the new normal, sustaining long-term low food inflation, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand said in an interview.

Farm output is expected to have grown at 4.6% in the fiscal year 2025 that ended on 31 March, up from 2.7% in FY24.

Food inflation, which cooled to 3.75% in February from 5.95% in January, is likely to remain below 4%, offering relief to consumers, Chand said.

Chand also said that going by India's farm output, price of commodities and trade pattern with the US, there is some scope for India to reduce tariffs on some farm products imported from the US, including apple. That could be part of a bilateral trade dea...