Agriculture

About 75% people are living in rural areas and are still dependent on Agriculture.

About 43% of India’s geographical area is used for agricultural activity.

Agriculture continues to play a major role in Indian Economy. Provides food to more than 1 billion people Produces 51 major crops Contributes to 1/6th of the Export Earnings

AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

Total Geographical Area - 328 million hectares

Net Area sown - 142 million hectares

Gross Cropped Area – 190.8 million hectares

Net Irrigated Area – 56.9 million hectares

MILESTONE

• Acquiring more land area for cultivation purpose• Expanding irrigation facilities• Use of improved and advanced

variety of seeds• Water management• Protection activities• Implementation of better tools and

techniques as a result of research.• Production increased 50% from

1967 to 1971 in jus four years.

THE GREEN REVOLUTION

INDIA IN WORLD OF AGRICULTURELargest Producer of Milk, Cashew nuts,

Coconuts, Tea, Ginger, Turmeric & Black Pepper.

Largest Cattle population-281 millionSecond largest producer of Wheat, Rice,

Sugar and Groundnut and Pulses.Third largest producer of Tobacco.Third largest in implementation of

Mechanization

INDIAN AGRICULTURE SCENARIOSTRENGTHSo Rich Bio Diversityo Arable Lando Climate

OPPORTUNITESExportsAgro-based IndustryHorticulture

WEAKNESSo Fragmented Landso Illiteracyo Lack of Technological Inputso Poor Infrastructure

THREATS• Unsustainable resource use• Unsustainable regional development

STRENGTHS

• Rich Bio Diversity- 46,000 plant species and 86,000 species of animals recorded.

• Arable Land- 428 million acres cultivable land.• Climate- Favorable all year around (Unlike USA,

Europe and China where farming is possible only 5 to 6 months a year).

WEAKNESS

Fragmentation of lands- Division of lands through generations lowers profit margins for farmers.

Illiteracy- Impotent seeds, approach to moneylenders than to banks for loans.

Lack of Technological Inputs- Bullock farming still prevailing. Poor Infrastructure-Unavailability of modern facilities to some

farmers.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Exports- Developing of Free trade agreements

between India and other countries.

• Agro Based Industries- Machineries for

Agriculture,

Pesticides and Insecticides manufacturing

Industries.

• Horticulture- Research and development for

hybrid plants with more productivity and

nutritional elements.

THREATS

o Unsustainable resource use- Lands gifted with fertility not utilized amply due to Zamindari system.

o Unsustainable regional development- Regions close to developed cities are only focused for development.

IT IN AGRICULTURE

Assisting with farm inputs and weather patterns to market information and global prices,

Computers are becoming powerful tools.

Thank You