1. India agriculture has an extensive background which goes back to 10 thousand
years. At present, in terms of agricultural production, the country holds the
second position all over the world. In 2007, agriculture and other associated
industries such as lumbering and forestry represented around 16.6% of the Gross
Domestic Product of the country. In addition, the sector recruited about 52% of
the entire manpower.
Regardless of the fact that there has been a gradual slump in its contribution
to the gross domestic product of the country, India agriculture is currently the
biggest industry in India. On the whole, it has a key role in the socioeconomic
growth of the country.
In terms of agricultural contribution, the following states in India are the
most developed states:
Punjab
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Haryana
Bihar
Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
West Bengal
All these states play a key role in the agrarian development of India.
The total arable territory in India is 1,269,219 km2, which represents about
56.78% of the overall land zone of the country. Arable land in India is
diminishing because of continuous strain from an ever-increasing number of
inhabitants and growing urbanization.
The overall water surface area of the country is 31440 km2 and the country
experiences a mean yearly precipitation of 1,100 mm. Irrigation represents 92%
of the consumption of water and in 1974, it was 380 km2. By 2025, the capacity
will probably increase to 1,050 km2, with the equilibrium justifying both
household and industrial usage.
Agricultural Products in India
India ranks first in producing the following agricultural outputs:
Anise
Fresh fruit
Badian
Fennel
Tropical fresh fruit
Coriander
Pigeon peas
Jute
Spices
Pulses
Castor oil seed
Millets
Safflower seeds
Sesame seeds
Limes
Lemons
Dry chillies and peppers
Cow's milk
Cashew nuts
Chickpeas
Ginger
Okra
Guavas
Turmeric
Goat milk

2. Mangoes
Meat
Buffalo milk
In addition, the country also ranks as the top producer of millets such as
Bajra, Jowar, and Ragi. In terms of rice production, India holds the second
position after China.
About 10% of the fruits produced in the world are produced in India. India holds
the first position in the world in producing the following fruits:
Papaya
Mangoes
Sapota
Banana
India holds the third rank in the world in the production of the following:
Sorghum
Tobacco
Coconuts
Rapeseed
Tomatoes
Hen's eggs
By coffee production, India holds the sixth rank in the world.
India houses the biggest number of livestock in the world and the count is 281
million. In 2008, the country housed the second biggest number of cattle in the
world and the count was 175 million livestock.
India ranks as the second biggest producer of the following:
Cabbages
Cashews
Fresh vegetables
Cotton seed and lint
Brinjal
Garlic
Silk
Goat meat
Cardamom
Nutmeg and Mace
Wheat
Onions
Sugarcane
Rice
Dry beans
Lentil
Tea
Groundnut
Cauliflowers
Green peas
Pumpkins
Potatoes
Gourds
Squashes
Inland fish
The population of India is increasing at a faster pace than its capacity to
produce wheat and rice.
India holds the second position in production of wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane,
and groundnuts. It is also the second biggest harvester of vegetables and fruit,
representing 8.6% and 10.9% of the overall vegetable and fruit production in the
world correspondingly.
The country is the top producer of jute, milk, and pulses and holds the second
rank in the production of silk and it is the biggest consumer of silk in the

3. world. In 2005, the country produced 77,000 million tons of silk.
What are the initiatives taken by Government for India Agriculture?
In a huge country like India, the necessary extent of outlay for the expansion
of merchandising, warehousing, and cold storage arrangement is expected to be
massive.
The Government of India has been earnestly trying to put into operation
different plans to increase investment or outlay in merchandizing and
commercializing. Some of the known plans and strategies of the Indian Government
include the following:
Market Research and Information Network
Construction of Rural Godowns
Grading and Standardization
Development/Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the principal authority in
farming and ancillary industries, which comprise learning and research.
The post of the President of the ICAR is held by the Union Minister of
Agriculture and at present, Mr. Sharad Pawar is holding the position.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) was set up in the year 1905.
The institute had a key role in the studies and explorations that resulted in
the Green Revolution in the decade of the 1970s. The Indian Agricultural
Statistics Research Institute formulates new methods for the planning of
agricultural testing. It also evaluates information associated with cultivation
and offers expert advices in statistical methods for livestock and tree raising.
Of late, the Government of India has established Farmers Commission to fully
assess the cultivation plan. Nonetheless, the suggestions received varied
responses.
Other interesting facts about India Agriculture
India enjoys the second position all over the world in terms of agricultural
production. During the period of 2009-10, farming and associated industries such
as lumbering, forestry, and fishing represented approximately 15.7% of the Gross
Domestic Product of the country. These industries also recruited 52.1% of the
overall manpower of India.
Outputs on a unitary basis for every type of harvest have increased from 1950.
This has been possible since the government has put particular focus on farming
operations in the five-year plans (Panchabarshiki Parikalpana) and stable
developments in the domains of engineering science, irrigation, implementation
of contemporary farming operations, and supply of cultivation loans and grants
after the Green Revolution took place in the country.
Nonetheless, worldwide evaluative studies disclose that the mean agricultural
output in the country is typically 30%-50% of the maximum average output in the
world.