Indian Agriculture

Indian Agriculture has an ancient  background which goes back to 10 thousand years. Agriculture is currently the biggest industry in India. It plays the key role in socioeconomic growth in India. In terms of  production India is in the second position in the world. It gives the work about 52% of the entire manpower.
              The Indian sub-continent has an area of 3.28 million sq. km (329 million hectares),out of which 60.89% of area under agriculture. Area  under irrigation is 25.96%. The country produces over 200 million tonnes of food grains, and it is self-sufficient in food grain production. Important commercial crops are sugarcane, cotton, jute,  tobacco and potato and major plantation crops are tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, coconut, arecanut. The country also boasts a host of spices such as pepper, cardamom, ginger, chillies, coriander, garlic, cloves and nutmeg. Popular horticultural crops include tropical to temperate fruits, vegetables, flowers, cashewnut, a host of root and tuber crops and medicinal and aromatic plants. Fruits and vegetables including onion and potato contribute 20% of the total agricultural output of the country.
After crop production, animal husbandry is the most important economic activity in the rural areas. India ranks the highest number of livestock in the world and the count is 281 million. Second place in cattle numbers and the count was 175 million livestock.

Steps from Indian Government for Agriculture:         

The Government of India has the key roles of following factors,

• Irrigation Management
• Market Research and Information Network
• Construction of Ware housing
• Grading and Standardization
• Development/Strengthening of Rural Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure

  The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)  is the apex body in agriculture and related allied fields, including research and education.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) was set up in the year 1905. The institute had a key role in the studies and explorations that resulted in the Green Revolution in the decade of the 1970s.
The Indian Government  has also started  Farmers Commission to completely evaluate the agriculture program.
Crop Pattern in India:

Problems Facing  Indian Agriculture:
Nearly 60% of the entire population employed in agriculture, still growth is much lesser compared other sectors. The reason is income and growth slower than other industries.
The low productivity due to
1.Inadequate finance and marketing services for farm produces.
2.Lack of knowledge in adopting new technologies.
3.Not use of intelligent water /irrigation management system.
4.Lack of  infrastructure and services in rural areas.

Needed  factors  to  improve this sector:

1.Enhancing agricultural productivity and  rural growth
2.Strengthening market knowledge and skills among farmers
3.Improving  water resource and irrigation management.
4.Guiding  non-farm entrepreneurship among farmers.
5.Give proper extension services about new technologies to farmers.