The process of planned economic development in India began with the launching of First Five Year Plan in April 1951. At that time, the country was faced with severe food shortage and mounting inflation. The Plan accorded pride of place to programmes for agriculture and community development. This was a natural priority for the Plan which sought to raise the standard to living in rural areas and also to overcome food shortages. Successive Five Year Plans have aimed at improving irrigation facilities, encouraging the use of fertilizers, improved varieties of seeds, implements and machinery and institutional credit. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the use of modern inputs leading to higher productivity and production. Satisfactory progress has been made not only in the production of major foodgrains but also in horticultural crops. Agricultural sector occupies a key position in the Indian economy. It provides employment to about 65 per cent of the working population of India. Around one-quarter of India’s national income orginates from this sector. Agricultural products like cereals (mainly rice), tea, coffee, cashew, spices, tobacco and leather are important items of India’s exports and hence foreign exchange earnings. The present work traces the developments in Indian agriculture during the post-Independence period, explains the key reform measures undertaken for the development of agriculture in the wake of economic liberalization and examines current issues pertaining to this vital sector of the Indian economy. Part I of the book provides a detailed description and commentary on the various aspects of agricultural development in India during the post-Independence period. Part II contains extracts on agriculture from India’s Five Year Plans from First Five Year Plan (1951-56) to Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) including Mid-Term Appraisal of the Tenth Plan released in June 2005. Part III provides year-wise review of agricultural developments in India, covering the period 1947 to 2006. Part IV contains time-series data (1950-51 to 2004-05) on Indian agriculture which would be useful for a cross-section of academic community and researchers. Both in India and abroad. Part V consists of appendices which provide relevant material on different aspects of Indian agriculture. Part VI contains glossary of agriculture terms. This work, it is hoped would prove useful for the students and teachers of economics, commerce, management, public administration, researchers, policy makers and all those interested in the contemporary agriculture situation in India.
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