Performance of Agriculture Sector in India

Abstract

Agriculture is the dominant sector of Indian economy, which determines the growth and sustainability. About 65 per cent of the population still relies on agriculture for employment and livelihood . India is the first in the world in the production ofmilk, pulses, jute and jute-like fibers ; second in rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnut, vegetables, fruits and cotton production ; and is a leading producer of spices and plantation crops as well as livestock, fisheries and poultry. The performance of the agricultural sector influences the growth of the Indian economy. Agriculture has been a way oflife and continues to be the single most important livelihood of the masses. Agricultural policy focus in India across decades has been on self-sufficiency and self-reliance in foodgrains production considerable progress has been made on this front. Foodgrains production rose from 52 milliontonnes in 1951-52 to 257.4 million tonnes in 2011-12.The share of agriculture in real GDP has fallen to14.1% in 2012-13 given its lower growth rate relative to industry and services.