ISSUES AND PRIORITIES AREAS OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

Abstract

Agriculture is the centerpiece of the Indian economy and the pivot of Indian life. Being the basis
of economic life, the main source of employment and a means of earning foreign exchange, it
would not be an exaggeration to call agriculture the foundation stone of the country. About 52
percent of the total labor force of the country is earning their livelihood from agriculture and
agriculture related sectors. Therefore it would be fair to say that the development and prosperity
of the country depends on the growth, prosperity and productivity of agriculture. The development
and prosperity of agriculture is dependent on the increase in agricultural production as well as
getting a fair price for the produce produced. Significantly, most of the small farmers of the country
are trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty. Due to poverty and debt, farmers are forced to sell their
produce to middlemen at low prices. To free the farmers from the trap of these middlemen and to
improve the marketing system, the government has taken important steps like expansion of
controlled mandis, grading and effect of agricultural products, arrangement of go-downs, market
promotion and price information. Management of cooperative marketing system. Steps have been
taken. Establishment of National Agricultural Marketing Institute is also an important step in this
direction. The institute is playing a vital role in agricultural development by providing specialized
education, training and research services in agricultural marketing. Due to the high development
rates of the industrial and service sectors, agriculture's economic contribution to India's economy
has decreased to less than 15%, but the sector's significance to the country's social and economic
structure goes much beyond this metric. First, the rural economy provides income for
approximately three-quarters of Indian households. Second, rural areas are home to the majority
of India's impoverished (770 million people, or around 70%). Third, to fulfil the demands of a
growing population with rising incomes, India's food security depends on the production of cereal
crops as well as the production of fruits, vegetables, and milk. This will require a faster emergence
of a productive, competitive, diverse, and sustainable agriculture industry.