Q.Discuss present situation of agriculture sector in India.

Agriculture still employs about half of India's workers but contributes only around a sixth of national income; output has grown, yet monsoon dependence, small holdings, low productivity and marketing problems remain.

Present situation of the agriculture sector in India:

• Large share in employment, smaller share in income — Agriculture still provides livelihood to nearly half of the country's workforce, but its share in national income has fallen to around one-sixth (about 14–17%), showing a large population dependent on a shrinking income share.
• Rise in production — With the green revolution, better seeds (HYV), fertilisers, irrigation and mechanisation, the production of food grains and other crops has increased greatly, and India has become largely self-sufficient in food grains.
• Continuing problems — The sector still faces serious issues: over-dependence on the monsoon, small and fragmented land holdings, low productivity per hectare, inadequate irrigation and credit, and defective marketing that denies farmers fair prices.
• Reforms and support — The government supports agriculture through institutional credit, minimum support prices (MSP), irrigation schemes (PMKSY), crop insurance and marketing reforms, and there is growing focus on diversification, horticulture, natural farming and allied activities (dairy, poultry). …