Present Situation of Agriculture Sector in India:

• India has been an agriculture oriented . economy before the british rule, during the ‘ british rule and even after the british rule.
• During planning period industrialisation is focused upon, but presently agriculture sector provides much more employment, production and export income as compared to past.

1. Contribution in National Income:

• According to economic survey 2011-12, contribution- of agriculture sector in national income (GDP) was 53.1% in 1950-51 and had reduced up to 13.9% in 2011-12 due to industrialisation since 1956.
• The contribution of agriculture in total revenue (National income) as coihpared to the other sectors of economy is the least.

2. Employment: At the time of independence 72 % population was employed in agriculture and allied agricultural activities.

• After independence development of industries and service sector has become faster and employment dependency on agriculture has been reduced.
• Agriculture sector provided 58 % employment in 2001 -02 which has been reduced to 49% in 2013-14.

3. Export Income: Indian agriculture sector helps the country to earn foreign exchange by exporting agricultural products.

• During independence period agriculture sector contributed 70% of India’s total export earnings.
• Because of development of industries and service sector the contribution of agriculture sector in the total export earnings was reduced to 14.2 % in the year 2013-14.

4. Living Standard: Agriculture has continu¬ously improved life of people in India by providing enough food grains.

• In India average food grain availability was 395 grams per head per day in 1951. Which increased to 511 grams in the year 2013.
• Agriculture sector is satisfying requirements of people in enough quantity. Due to this average life span of people and living standard has been increased.

5. Growth of Agriculture Production: Total production of agriculture in India has increased.

• Because of rise of cultivated land and per hectare productivity, in India production of food grains increased to 264.4 metric tons in 2013-14, which is about 2.5 times rise than the production in 1951.
• As compared to 1951 the production of sugar cane, pulses, cotton, oil seeds show tremendous rise in 2013-14.

6. Base for Industrial Development:

• Agriculture is a base for industrial sector in India. It provides raw material to industrial sector to attain possible development.
• 69 % population of India live in rural areas whose main source of income is from agriculture. Therefore the main market for the demand of industrial product is rural areas.