DCM1206: Economic Environment in India Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ)
Unit 10 : Agriculture in India 3
Agriculture has a significant role to play in the Indian economy and the majority of the
population in the country is dependent on agriculture. The contribution of agriculture to the
total GDP of the country is at 18% and it holds an important place as the primary sector of
the Indian economy.
Indian agriculture has shown impressive growth over the last few years and it is a mode of
employment for more than 61% of India’s population. More than 44% of the geographical
area of India is used for agriculture which has resulted in a major increase in the production
of grains from 52 million tonnes to over 300 million tonnes since Independence.
Agriculture has helped the Indian economy with:
• Contributing to the share in National Income
• Largest sector for employment
• A major contribution to resources for capital formation
• Helped with providing raw material to the industries
• They created a market for industrial products
The economic development of the country is dependent on agriculture and it is concerned
with the utilisation of resources, distribution, and allocation of resources needed for farming
and agriculture. Agriculture helps with providing surplus that is converted to funds that
helps with buying types of equipment needed for the economic development of the country
for the welfare of the people.
The funds are used for building roads, infrastructure, and providing for other kinds of public
services. In recent years, India has made a lot of progress and advances in the production of
agriculture with the introduction of high-yielding seeds. India has also initiated the proper
use of fertilizers and improved methods of water management systems like water
harvesting.
Agriculture has also helped with the expansion of the industrial sector since the time of
industrial revolution with the supply of raw materials. Agriculture has also contributed to
the supply and earning of foreign currency because it has contributed with its surplus in