India's agriculture sector is vital for its economy, yet it faces significant challenges. Key issues include climate change, water scarcity, and a heavy reliance on imports for edible oils. Addressing these challenges requires focused interventions, sustainable practices, and the adoption of technological advancements.
From 2016-17 to 2022-23, the agriculture sector has shown remarkable resilience, achieving an average annual growth rate of 5%. This growth demonstrates the sector's ability to adapt and respond to various environmental and economic pressures.
The share of Gross Value Added (GVA) from agriculture and allied sectors has seen a notable increase, rising from 24.38% in 2014-15 to 30.23% in 2022-23. This consistent growth underscores the sector's crucial contribution to India's economy, particularly in food security and rural livelihoods.
Among the allied sectors, fisheries have achieved the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.67%, while livestock follows closely with 12.99% from 2013-14 to 2022-23. These sectors play a pivotal role in diversifying rural incomes and reducing reliance on crop cultivation.
India has made significant progress in irrigation coverage, increasing from 49.3% of the gross cropped area (GCA) in 2015-16 to 55% in 2020-21. Irrigation intensity has also risen from 144.2% to 154.5%, indicating improved water resource management and infrastructure development.
Some regions, particularly Jharkhand and Assam, still exhibit low irrigation coverage, remaining below 20%. These states require targeted interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate vulnerability to erratic rainfall.
Over the past decade, agricultural income has steadily increased, growing at an annual rate of 5.23%. This positive trend reflects the impact of improved practices, supportive government policies, and technological innovations in farming.
The Economic Survey emphasizes the critical need for enhanced research and development (R&D) in agriculture. It advocates for agricultural practices that cater to specific agro-climatic conditions and utilize available natural resources effectively, aiming to boost sustainability and productivity.
To lessen the dependency on imports, particularly for edible oils, the Economic Survey suggests increasing domestic oilseed production. This can be achieved through targeted policy measures, enhanced research, and robust support programs for farmers.
With a contribution of 20% to the overall GVA, agriculture is crucial for millions of livelihoods and serves as the backbone of rural development. The sector's stability and growth are essential for ensuring food security, alleviating poverty, and driving economic progress in India.
Q1. What are the primary challenges in Indian agriculture?
Answer: Major challenges include climate change impacts, water scarcity, and dependence on imports for edible oils. Addressing these issues requires sustainable practices and technological advancements.
Q2. How has the agriculture sector performed recently?
Answer: The sector achieved an average annual growth rate of 5% from 2016-17 to 2022-23, showcasing its resilience against environmental and economic challenges.
Q3. Why is GVA important for agriculture?
Answer: The GVA share from agriculture has increased significantly, highlighting its growing contribution to India's economy and its role in ensuring food security and rural livelihoods.
Q4. Which allied sectors are growing the fastest?
Answer: Fisheries and livestock are among the fastest-growing allied sectors, with CAGRs of 13.67% and 12.99%, respectively, enhancing rural income diversity.
Q5. What measures can reduce edible oil imports?
Answer: Increasing domestic oilseed production through targeted policies and farmer support programs can significantly reduce dependency on imports.
Question 1: What is the average annual growth rate of Indian agriculture from 2016-17 to 2022-23?
A) 3%
B) 5%
C) 7%
D) 10%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which allied sector recorded the highest CAGR from 2013-14 to 2022-23?
A) Livestock
B) Dairy
C) Fisheries
D) Poultry
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What is the GVA share of agriculture in 2022-23?
A) 24.38%
B) 30.23%
C) 35%
D) 40%
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which state has irrigation coverage below 20%?
A) Punjab
B) Jharkhand
C) Maharashtra
D) Kerala
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What was the irrigation coverage in India in 2020-21?
A) 49.3%
B) 55%
C) 60%
D) 65%
Correct Answer: B
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