Agriculture in India

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

1. Agriculture

2. 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 1/6 th of the Export Earnings

3. 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

4. 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

5. INDIA IN WORLD OF AGRICULTURE Largest Producer of Milk, Cashew nuts, Coconuts, Tea, Ginger, Turmeric & Black Pepper. Largest Cattle population-281 million Second largest producer of Wheat, Rice, Sugar and Groundnut and Pulses. Third largest producer of Tobacco. Third largest in implementation of Mechanization

6. INDIAN AGRICULTURE SCENARIO STRENGTHS Rich Bio Diversity Arable Land Climate OPPORTUNITES Exports Agro-based Industry Horticulture WEAKNESS Fragmented Lands Illiteracy Lack of Technological Inputs Poor Infrastructure THREATS Unsustainable resource use Unsustainable regional development

7. 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).

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. THREATS Unsustainable resource use- Lands gifted with fertility not utilized amply due to Zamindari system. Unsustainable regional development- Regions close to developed cities are only focused for development.

11. IT IN AGRICULTURE Assisting with farm inputs and weather patterns to market information and global prices, C omputers are becoming powerful tools.

12. Thank You