GS IAS Logo

< Previous | Contents | Next >

Scope and Importance of Agriculture

With a 17.2 per cent contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), agriculture provides livelihood support to about two-thirds of country’s population.

The sector provides employment to 56.7 per cent of country’s work force and is the single largest private sector occupation.

Agriculture accounts for about 14.7 per cent of the total export earnings and provides raw material to a large number of Industries (textiles, silk, sugar, rice, flour mills, milk products).

The agriculture sector acts as a bulwark in maintaining food security and, in the process, national security as well.

The allied sectors like horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, have an important role in improving the overall economic conditions and health and nutrition of the rural masses.