Q."Agriculture sector is known as the backbone of the economy." — Explain the statement.

Agriculture is the backbone because it employs most people, feeds the nation, adds to national income, supplies industrial raw materials, earns foreign exchange and provides a market for industry.

The statement "agriculture sector is known as the backbone of the economy" is justified by the following roles of agriculture in India:

• Source of livelihood/employment: Agriculture provides employment to the largest proportion of the population (roughly half the workforce), especially in rural areas.
• Supply of food: It feeds the entire growing population by producing foodgrains and other food products, ensuring food security.
• Contribution to national income: Although its share has fallen, agriculture still contributes a significant part of the GDP.
• Supply of raw materials to industry: Many industries (textiles, sugar, food processing, jute) depend on agriculture for raw materials.
• Market for industrial goods: The large rural farming population is a major market for industrial products like fertilisers, implements, machinery and consumer goods.
• Source of exports and foreign exchange: Agricultural products (spices, tea, cotton, rice, etc.) are important exports that earn foreign exchange. …