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Agri is derived from the word ‘agro’, a derivative of Greek ‘Argos’, meaning field. Culture means to cultivate. Cultivation in the field or preparing a land (of course, field means land here literally) for growth or enhancement, or propagation of living organisms is known as agriculture. Living organisms here means plants, trees, shrubs, herbs, fish, and animals (mainly cattle like goats, cows, pigs). Even microorganisms like algae, fungi, and land propagation (field) are also included in agriculture.
Importance of agriculture
Agriculture, also called farming or husbandry, is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fibre, biofuel, drugs, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. Agriculture was a pivotal milestone in the establishment of sedentary human civilisation since domesticated species farming produced food surpluses that fueled civilisation’s growth. Agricultural science is the scientific study of agriculture.
Agriculture has a long history dating back thousands of years, and its evolution has been influenced and characterised by a wide range of climates, civilisations, and technology.
Importance of agriculture in the national economy
Agriculture is the source of food, feed, and fibre that feeds us, gives us clothes, provides lumber for our houses, and organic things that grow in the soil. Animal husbandry is also part of the process that produces meat, milk, and eggs we consume and the wool we wear. Agriculture is of utmost importance for the national economy. Firstly, it acts as foreign exchange for a country due to exports of agricultural products.
Another role of agriculture is to act as a ready market for the industries. This is done when the pieces of equipment are purchased from several sectors, hence contributing to the development of a nation. The main objective of agriculture is to produce food for a country’s population.
Explain the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy
Though agricultural products account for only about 17% or so of our GDP and about 13% of our exports, it is a very significant sector, perhaps the most vital sector. This is because our agricultural output plays a substantial role in our service and industrial sectors by producing raw materials and demands for industrial products.
Most importantly, over 50% of our workforce is employed directly in the agriculture sector, and only when the workforce’s income levels and living standards improve, the country as a whole achieves middle-income status. Based on the population and output, one can say that the average income level of people employed in agriculture is only one-fourth of the average earnings of those employed in service/ industry sectors.
This is because of rampant population growth, resulting in many unemployed people from rural areas migrating to semi-urban and urban areas without any corresponding employment opportunities. This has resulted in fragmentation of holdings to not be sustainable even for own consumption.
Agriculture and GDP
When you have to calculate the GDP of India, agriculture holds the top spot because it plays a crucial role in keeping the economy steady before liberalisation. More than 50% of people are involved in agriculture, showing the dependence of economic numbers on farming. The exports of the country are highly based on agricultural products. Agriculture constitutes only 13.7% of GDP, but around 45% of 1.3 billion people are involved in agriculture. This shows why agriculture is called the backbone of the economy.
The agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors in the Indian economy, as it provides food to the country’s population and is a pivotal contributor to economic activity in other sectors of the economy. However, the government’s efforts in the field of agriculture have taken a back seat as its focus is now sliding towards the corporate sector. The government needs to look at providing MSPs to all agricultural products, which can play a massive role in improving the condition of farmers.
Conclusion
Agriculture is the art and science of rearing animals and planting crops. It is the source of food production for any society. Many people depend on agriculture for both commercial production and local production.
