UNIT 3 AGRICULTUREAND·INDIAN

ECONOMY
Structure
3.0 Objectives

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Role of Agriculture in Indian Economy

3.3 Importance of Agriculture in Indian Economy

3.3.1 Industrial Development
3.3.2 International Trade
3.3.3 Capital Formation
3.3.4 Consumption
i

3.4 Performance of Agriculture

3.4.1 Area, Production and Productivity of Foodgrains
3.4.2 Area, Production and Productivity Major Cereal Crops
3.4.3 Area, Production and Productivity of Pulses and Oilseeds
3.4,4 Horticultural Production
3.4.5 Livestock Production
3.4.6 Fisheries Production

3.5 LetUsSumUp

3.6 FCeyVVords

3.7 Some Useful BookslReferences

3.8 AnswersIHints to Check Your Progress

3.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you will be able to:

• discuss he current status of agricultural production in India;

• anlayse the performance of agriculture in pre and post green revolution

periods; and

• explain the role and importance of agriculture in national economy.

3.1 INTRODUCTION
The Agriculture in India is basically a part of life; it is a system of work and
culture. None of the fanner of the country likes to keep out land fallow, whether
it is profitable 'Ornot. Fanners spend maximum time in the field. Earlier the
country was self-dependent and was termed as 'Golden Bird'. However, the
situation changed with the arrival of Mug ha Is and Britishers and their colonial
40
 policies. After independence our main problem was how to feed to people. Then Agriculture and
Indian Economy
our planners and policy makers, agricultural scientists and economists decided to
produce more food grains in order to achieve self-sufficiency. The period of late
mid sixties is known as the green revolution period. Dr. Swaminathan and Dr.
Borlag along with other agricultural scientists took a challenge to enhance the
production and they succeeded. After overcoming' the food problem by producing
sufficient paddy and wheat, the next aim was to become self sufficient in pulses,
oilseed and milk, with quality products. Currently, the country is in a position to
export the agricultural produce and products. Now the country is economically
sound as the per capita income of the people has increased but still it is not fully
satisfactory. The farmers are yet to undertake cultivation in a professional way.
Many industries have come up with new agriculture products. Now the question
\
is how to make the best use of alternative available. This unit discusses the role,
\<importance and performance of agriculture in India.

3.2 . ROLE OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIAN

ECONOMY
Indian agriculture was in the stage of great development and maturity much before
the newly advanced countries of the world embarked on the path of progress.
There was a proper balance between agriculture and industry and both flourished
hand in hand. This situation continued till the middle of 18th century. The
.interference from the-alien British govemment and its deliberate policy of throttling
the village handicrafts and cottage industries destroyed the fibre of balance and
economy of the country was badly shattered. British pursued a typical colonial
policy in India and did nothing to develop agriculture. Instead they created a class
of intermediaries known as Zamidars who sucked the blood of the rural poor.
The parasitic class took a substantial part of the produce away and the actual
cultivators were left only with subsistence income. The cultivators had t'ieitherthe
resources nor the incentive to invest in agriculture. Therefore, Indian agriculture in
the pre independence period can be correctly described as a' subsistence
occupation which yielded too little to live on and too much to die on. The
Zamidars and money lenders grated a largepart of land on the pretext of settlement
.for debt taken by cultivators and a number of cultivators were thus left landless.
This created a class of landless labourers or agriculture workers who worked on
the land of others for wage which was often too meagre to keep the body and
I

soul together. A majority of farmers were just able to take out few leaves of
.subsistence from agricultural activities, it was only after the advent of planning
(and more precisely after the advent of green revolution in 1966) that some
farmers started adopting agriculture on a commercial basis.

1). Share of'Agriculture in National Income

At the time of First World War, agriculture contributed two third of national
income. However, after the initiation of planned economic development, the share
of agriculture has gradually and regularly declined on account of the development
of the secondary and tertiary sectors of economy. The share of agriculture in GDP
41
I
I
L _._---
Indian Agriculture: at factor. cost was 56.5 percentin 1950-51 declined steadily to 18 percent in t
An Overview
2006-07. The declining share of agriculture in national income is often taken as an
indicator of economic development. Normally in developed countries, the economy
is less dependent on agriculture ~ compared to under developed countries.

2) Largest Employment Providing Sector

One of the important roles of agriculture sector is to provide employinent to large

section of society in India. In 1951,69.5 percent of the working population was
engaged in agriculture. The percentage has fallen marginally to 62 per cent in
1995 and around 60 per cent in 2003. However, there is large andrapid
increase in the absolute number of people engaged in agriculture. Development of
other sectors of the economy has not been sufficient to provide employment to
the ever rising addition to working population who are, therefore, forced to fall
back upon agriculture even if their marginal productivity is almost zero.
\
3) Other Roles Played by Agriculture

i) Remove poverty and hunger.

it) Providing food and nutrition.

fu) Get rid of imports.

iv) Be~sible utilization of resources.

v) Development ofhorticulture.animal husbandry and fisheries.

VI) Saving of foreign exchange.

vii) Improving purchasing power of entire population.

3.3 8
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN
INDIAN ECONOMY
Indian agriculture is incomparable in Indian economy. Though its contribution is
diminishirig due to higher growth in secondary arid tertiary sectors, yet, more than
60 per cent working population is engaged in agriculture. We get raw material
from our agriculture for industries. Agriculture provides food to the entire population
and feed and fodder to livestock .. Agriculture is also an important source of
finance of central and state governments. Indian agriculture has an honourable
place intemationallevel earning valuable foreign exchange for the country..

3.3.1 Industrial Development

In India, agriculture plays an important role in industrial development. Agriculture
. . ..----.,
provides raw material to the industries like cotton textiles, jute, sugar and.Vanaspati
etc., which are of basic importance to national economy. Not only this, all
workers engaged in industries depend for their consumption requirements on
agriculture. Agriculture also provides market for industrial products.However, .
the level of income of farmers and landless labourers is very low in India, In spite .
42
of low level of income, markets for industrial products in agricultural sector is Agriculture and
Indian Economy
considerable on account of largest size of population residing in rural area.

3.3.2 International Trade

Agriculture sector in India has occupied an important place in the export of the
country. The Agricultural imports amounting Rs.1,205.86 crores was 2.79 per cent
of total national imports in 1990-91 it rose to Rs.16,066.73 crores in 1999-2000,
it was 7.45 per cent of total nationa Iimports. In' the year 2005-06, it became
Rs. 21,0~5 crores which was 3.33 p~r cent of the total national imports. Thus it
can be concluded that though in absolute terms the imports amount has increased
since 1990-91 to 2005-06 but year-wise percentage of agricultural imports
fluctuated, .
The agricultural export which was Rs.6,012.76 crores i.e. 18.49 per cent of the
total national exports in 1990-91 came down to 10.95 per cent in 2005-06. In
absolute terms in 2005-06, the Agricultural export was Rs. 49,803 crores. Keeping
agricultural imports and exports into consideration, agricultural exports have been
always higher than the imports showing a positive trade balance.

3.3.3 Capital Formation

The gross capital formation in agriculture and allied sector was Rs.187 crores in
1950-51 which increase to Rs.1752 crores in 1974-75 and Rs. 54,539 crores in
2005-06 (Source: Central Statistical Organization, New Delhi). This includes
both public sector and private sector. But there is decreasing trend of capital
formation through agriculture to total gross capital formation. In 1950-51 the
share of agriculture and allied sector in gross capital formation was 19 per cent
which decreased to 11 per cent in 1974-75 and 6.5 per cent in 2002-03 (Central
Statistical Organization, New Delhi). This is because of declining share of public
sector, low level of domestic savings, lack of entrepreneurship, weak inducement
to invest, etc.
3.3.4 Consumption
The per capita income of India is very low, consequently, a large part of this. .
income is spent on fulfilling the basic consumption requirements of the people. It
has been estimated that, in India rural population spends 65 per cent of income on
food, whereas the urban population spends about 55 per cent of income on the
food expenditure. Thus, food dominates the household budget. Keeping in view
the possibilities of increase in population and per capita consumption expenditure,
the planning commission has estimated that demand tor agricultural commodities is
likely to increase at the rate of 4,.7per cent per annum. Accordingly, the nation
can remain selfreliant in agriculture only if, agricultural output rises at least at the
rate of5 per cent per annum. '--c,' .

3.4 PERFORMANCE OF AGRICULTURE

For assessing the performance. of Indian agricultural sector, it is necessary to
.discuss the production and productivity trend in agriculture. Agricultural production
has two components: Foodgrains and non foodgrains. The former contributes
approximately about two third of total agricultural production.
43
Indian Agriculture: 3.4.1 Area, Production and Productivity of Foodgrains
An Overview

The trend in area, production and productivity of foodgrains f~r the last five
decades are given below:

Table 3.1: Area, Production and Yield of Foodgrains in India

Year Area Production Yield Per cent Area

(Million (Million (KgIha) under
hectares) tonnes) Irrigation

1950-51 97.32 50.82 522 18.1

1960-61 115.58 82.02 710 19.1

1970-71 , 124.32 108.32 872 24.1

1980-81 126.67 129.59 1023 29.6

1990-91 127.84 176.39 1380 35.1

2000-01 121.05 196.81 1626 43.4

2005-06 121.60 208.60 1715 NA

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance - 2006-07, DES, Govt. of India

The foodgrain production in India Was increased from 50.82 million tonnes in
1950-51 to 208.60 million tonnes in 2005-06. The worst drought of 2002-03
pulled down the country's foodgrains production to 174.19 million tonnes in the I

I
lowest in the last ten years. However Indian agriculture has made a smart
recovery with production of208.60 million tonnes in 2005-06 (Table 3.1).
I

Since 1950-51, the productivity has increased-around four times whereas the.
area has increased 1.5 times. In absolute terms, the area and production of
foodgrains has increased by 24.28 million hectare and 157.78 million tonnes in
.2005-06. The productivity of total food grain is increased by 3.27 times.

The irrigated area, which was only 18.1 per cent, rose to about 44 per cent in
2003-04.

In totality it can be said that technological changes in agricultural production

coupled with increased availability of irrigation water has brought about perceptible
changes in Indian agricultural production scenario.

3.4.2 Area, Production and Productivity of Major Cereal

Crops

Decadal change in area, production, productivity and per cent area irrigated of
important cereals are given in the Table 3.2.

44
 Table 3.2: Area, Production, Productivity and Percent Irrigated Area of Agriculture and
Indian Economy
Major Crops

Crop 1950-51 1960-61 1970-71 1980-81 1990-91 2000-01 2005-06

. Rice A 30.81 34.13 37.59 40.15 42.69 44.71 43.66

P 20.58 34.58 42.22 53.63 74.29 84.98 91.79

,

y 668 1013 1123 1336 1740 1901 2102

lA 31.7 36.8 38.4 40.7 45.5 53.6 NA

Wheat A 9.75 12.92 18.24 22.28 24.17 25.7 26.48

p 6.46 11.00 23.83 36.31 55.14 69.68 69.35

y 663 851 1307 1630 2281 2708 2619

lA 34.0 32.7 54.3 76.5 8l.l 88.1 NA

Jawar A 15.57 18.41 17.37 15.81 14.36 9.86 8.67

p 5.50 9.81 8.11 10.43 11.68 7.53 7.24

Y 353 533 466 660 814 764 8!ro

lA 3 3.6 3.6 4.7 5.6 7.9 NA

Bajra A 9.02 11.47 12.91 11.66 10.48 9.83 9.58
p 2.60 3.28 8.03 5.34 6.89 6.76 7.68

Y 2.88 286 622 458 658 688 802

lA 3.4 2.8 4.0 5.5 5.1 8.0 NA

Maize A 3.16 4.41 5.85 6.01 5.90 6.61 7.59

P 1.73 4.08 7.49 6.96 8.96 12.04 14.71

y 547 926 1279 1159 1518 1822 1938

lA 11.4 12.6 15.9 20.1 19.7 22.4 NA

Note: A- Area (million hect.), P- Production (million tonnes), Y- Productivity (Kg/ha)
IA- Per cent area irrigated
Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance -2006-07, DES, Govt. of India.

The overall production of rice stood at 91.79 million tonnes in year 2005-06. It
was 71.21 million tonnes more than the output in 1950-51 (20.58 million tonnes).

Wheat production also made a smart recovery from early years. Being major
Rabi crop, wheat production increased to 69.35 million tonnes in 2005-06 over
6.46 million tonnes in 1950-51.

The total jowar production was 7.24 million tonnes in 2005-06, against 5.50
million tonnes in 1950-51. The production ofbajra increased from 2.60 million
tonnes in 1950-51 to 7.68 million tonnes in 2005-06 (Table 3.2).

Similarly, Kharif maize did well with the record production of 14.71 million tonnes
in 2005-06 and surpassed the target of 11.70 million tonnes.
45
Indian Agriculture: Ragi crop grown mainly in Kharif season, accounted for the production of2.0 1
An 'Overview
million tonnes, which was less than the target of2A6 million tonnes in 2003-04.
Jowar production was 7.24 million tonnes, which was less then the expectation.
After a good Kharif harvest, the country also had satisfactory performance of
Rabi crops. The area under almost all Rabi crops had increased.

Check Your Progress 1

Note: a) Use the spaces given below for your answers.
b) Check your answer with those given at the end of the unit.

1) Discuss the changes in area, production and productivity of wheat.

............................................................................................................... ; ..

...................................................................................................................

2) List out the possible factors playing important role in agricultural development.

....... .• ~.•

3.4.3 Area, Production and Productivity of Pulses and

Oilseeds
The total pulse production touched to 13.39 million tonnes in 2005-06. It was the
second highest production so far. Pigeon pea (Tur), the major Kharifpulse crop,
recorded a production of2.74 million tonnes. Gram the most important Rabi
pulse crop, recorded a production of 5.60 million tonnes. Lentil production
increased from 0.37 million tonnes in 1970-71 to 0.95 million tonnes in 2005-06
(Table 3.3).

Table 3.3: Area, Production and Productivity of Pulses in India

Crop 1950-51 1960-61 1970-71 1980-81 1990-91 2000-01 2005-06

Total A 19.09 23.56 22.54 22.46 24.66 20.35 22.39

pulses
p 8.41 12.70 11.82 10.63 14.26 11.08 13.39

Y 441 539 524 473 578 544 598

,-
lA 9.4 8.0 8.8 9.0 10.5 12.5 NA
Gram A 7.57 9.28 7.84 6.58 7.52 5.19 6.93
P 3.65 6.25 5.20 4.33 5.36 3.86 5.60
"

Y 482 674 663 657 712 744 808

lA 12.5 11.9 15.6 20.6 20.5 30.9 N;A
46
 Agriculture and
Tur A 2.18 2.43 2.66 2.84 3.59 ~.63 358 Indian Economy
(Arhar) p 1.72 2.07 1.88 1.96 2.41 2.25 2.74
y 788 849 709 689 . 673 618 765

lA 0.5 0.5 0.3 . 2.6 5.5 4.2 NA.

Lentil A - - 0.75 0.93 1.19 1.48 1.56

(Masoor) p 0.37 0.47
- - 0.85 0.92 0.95
y - - 497 498 717 619 629

lA - - - - - - -
Note: A=Area in million hectare, P=Production in million tonnes, Y= Yield in Kg/ha,
IA= Per cent irrigated area.
Source: 'Agricultural Statistics at Cl Glance- 2006-07. DES Govt. of India.

Table 3.4: Area, Production and Production of Oilseeds in India

Total A 10.73 13.77 16.64 17.60 24.15 22.77 27.86

Oil seeds
p 5.16 6.98 9.63 9.37 18.61 18.44 27.98
(Nine)
y 481 507 579 532 771 810 1004

lA - 3.3 7.4 14.5 22.9 23.0 NA

, Groundnut A 4.49 6.46 7.33 6.80 8.31 6.56 6.74

p 3.48 4.81 6.11 5.01 7.51 6.41 7.99

y 775 745 834 736 904 977 1187

lA NA 3.0 7.5 13.3 18.6 17.6 NA

Rapeseed A 2.07 2.88 3.32 4.11 5.78 4.48 ,7.28.

and p 0.76 1.35 1.98 2.30 5.23 4.19 8.13
mustard
y 368 467 594 560 904 935 1117

lA NA 12.1 25.2 43.7 59.8 66.1 N~

Soybean A - - 0.03 0.61 2.56 6.42 7.71

p - - 0.01 0.44 2.60. 5.28 8.27

y - - 426 728 1015 822 1073

lA - - - - - 1.4 -
Sunflower A ~ - 0.12 0.12 1.63 1.07 2.34

P - - 0.08 0.07 0.87 0.65 ·1.44

, y - - 653· 555 535 602 615

lA - - - - - 27.6 -
Note: A=Area in miHion hectare, P=Production in million tonnes, Y= Yield in Kg/ha,
lA = Per cent irrigated area.
Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance- 2006-07. DES Govt. of India.; 47
Indian Agriculture: Reports of accelerated area under oilseeds; particularly rapeseed and mustard
An Overview
were made by various states. Oilseeds acreage went up by 17.13 million hectares.
Rapeseed and mustard were sown in 7.28 million hectares with the area under the
crop rising especially in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (Table 3.4). Sunflower
is mainly grown in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka States.

The total production of nine major oilseeds (groundnut, caster, sesamum, niger,
rapeseed and mustard, linseed, safflower, sunflower and soybean) was a high of
27.98 million tonnes. It exceeded the previous production of24.75 million tonnes
in 1998-99. The total ground nut production was 7.99 million tonnes. Sunflower
production was only 1.44 million tonnes. Soybean production was at a new height
of8.27 million tonnes (Table 3.4,.

The average annual growth rate of agriculture fell from more than 4 per cent
during 1992-93 to 1996-97 to less than two per cent during the period 1997-98
to 2002-03 and it remained low.

Check Your Progress 2

Note: a) Use the spaces given below for your answers.

b) Check your answer with those given at the end of the unit.

1) Name the major oilseed crops grown in the country.

2) Discuss the contribution of oilseeds and pulses in Agricultural production .

...................................................................................................................

3.4.4 Horticultural Production

India has been primarily an agricultural based economy with an enterprising fanning
community. The prevailing diverse agro-climatic conditions enabled the production
of wide array of horticultural crops.

Beside a rich biodiversity-in fruits, vegetables and medicinal crops exist in the
country, the excellent human resource in research and development with large
network of research on horticulture under the NARS (National Agriculture
Research System) has been an asset. It helped in the development and transfer of
technologies to the farmers, with the result that the country is now a second
largest producer of fruits and vegetable in the world. The total production of fruits
has gone up from 32.96 to 45.2 million tonnes and vegetables from 63.8 to 84.8
million tonnes over a period of ten years 1992-93 'to 2002-03 registering an
48 ~
 increase of37 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively. The increase in production Agriculture and
Indian Economy
is both on account of increase in area and productivity,

3.4.5 Livestock Production

Livestock as a diversified option amounts to Rs. 934 billions, accounting 25
per cent of the overall agricultural sector contribution. The GDP Growth rate of
livestock sector is about 4.3 per cent annually. India leads the world in milk
production with an output of90 million tonnes per year. Over 70 per cent ofthe
milk produced in India is contributed by semi-medium, small, marginal and landless
farmers.

In the agriculturally progressive north western India including Punjab, Haryana,

Western UP and part of Rajasthan, farmers are resourceful to maintain large
producing stock. Grazing land and common property resources are declining. At
present it is about 3.5 per cent ofthe total geographical area .

. Hilly regions.and lands adjoining to forests and vallies where crop production has
less feasibility,livestock raising are natural alternatives. The favourable temperature
and availability of green edible biomass can be efficiently routed food chain
through the livestock particularly in the hilly regions. The goat popul~tion is second
only to China, while the sheep population is third, after China and Australia. India
occupies 6th position regarding chicks with the world led by China.

The world milk production was estimated at 613 million tonnes in 2004 and has
been growing since on Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 1.1 per cent.
India not only ranks first in milk production with 88.2 million tonnes per annum in
2003-04 but is also growing at a CAGR of 4 per cent. India contributes 4 million
tonnes to the worlds' incremental production of7.5 million tonnes. In spite of the
high growth rate, the per capita availability of milk in India is 229 grams per day
which is lower than the world average of285 grams per day. In India, buffalo
milk accounts for 57 per cent of the total milk produced.

3.4.6 Fisheries Production

Aquaculture has been one of the fastest growing agricultural sector ofthe country,
with bulk of production coming from fresh water environment. Fish has occupied
an important place in the global food basket as a safe and cheap source of animal
protein Withhigh consumer acceptability. Fish production either capture or culture
has been aremunerative activity, be it trawling in the deep sea, seining in the
coastal water, gill netting or seining in the inland water or farming in small
impoundments.

The fish production of the country has increased from 0.75 million tonnes in
1950-51 to over 6.4 million tonnes in 2002-03, an over eight folds increase. At
the same time the share of inland fisheries has gone up from 29 per cent to over
50 per cent.

The average growth rate of over 6 per cent per year in the last two decades is the
testimony of the potential the sector possesses. Present fresh water aquaculture
production is about 2.4 tonnes / hectare. Fresh water aquaculture accounts for 95
per cent of the total aquaculture production and about 40 per cent of the total fish
production of the country. It has been possible through phenomenal growth in
development of fish farming in small inland water bodies, i.e. ponds and tanks. 49
Indian Agriculture: Development of several epoch making technologies and their effective dissemination
An Overview
to the receptive farmers can very well take credit for achieving such of status.

• Agricultural Development

It has been recommended that increasing investment in rural infrastructure and

agricultural research and development should permit rural and agricultural
development. Social safety networking should be reoriented to create more
employment in rural areas and the human resource base should be strengthened
through education, nutrition and empowerment of women. Better physical
infrastructure should be built. Water management should be given proper attention.
Water pricing system should be designed on the basis of water rights to cope with
increasing scarce supply for agriculture.

• Marketing of Produce

New opportunities to participate in production and marketing of high value livestock

products, fruits, vegetables and fishery should be explored. The nation should
work towards strengthening and establishing rules based on multilateral trading
system through WTO negotiations and explore the second best opti~ns for free
regional trade agreement with other developing countries.
$

3.5 LET US SUM UP

The agriculture in India is basically a part of life; it is a system of work and culture.
Earlier the country was known as "Golden Bird". However, the scenario changed
completely with the invasion ofMughals and Britishers. After independence the
main problem was now to feed the people as the country was facing severe food
shortages. During mid sixties the technological change in agricultural sector
particularly in wheat and rice crops gave break by enhancing production. After
overcoming the food problem by providing sufficient food, the next target was to
,, become self sufficient in pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, milk and milk products and
fish and fish products. Thus, total development was classified into four parts
which was ultimately named as green revolution, white revolution, yellow revolution
and bluerevolution.

The role of agriculture in national income, in providing employment, in industrial

development, in international trade, in consumption, in Indian economy as a whole
is significantly noticed and recorded.

The area of total foodgrains which was 97.32 million hectare in 1950-51 rose to
121.60 million hectare in 2005-06. The production and productivity increased by
four and three and a half times over base year, respectively. Out of the major
cereals, rice, wheat and maize have increased to commendable-position in respect
to area, production and yield. A significant growth has been observed also in area,
production and productivity of oilseeds and pulses but, it was comparatively less
to cereals.

It has been recommended that rural and agricultural development should be

promoted by increasing investment in rural infrastructure and agricultural research
rand development. Water management should get proper attention. New
opportunities to participate in production 'and marketing oflivestock and their
products, fruits, vegetables, fishery should be explored.
50
 Agriculture and
3.6 KEY WORDS Indian Economy·

Capital Formation . It is the diversion of a part of society's current

available resources to the purpose of increasing the
stock of capital goods, so as to make possible an
expansion of consumable output in future.

.Common Property The resources owned by the community as a whole .

Resources

3.7 SOME USEFUL BOOKS / REFERENCES

Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2003. Directorate of Economics & Statistics,
Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government
of India.

Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2004. Directorate of Economics & Statistics,

Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government
of India. ,

Anonymous (2003).Survey of Indian Agriculture, The Hindu.

Anonymous (2006). Survey of Indian Agriculture, The Hindu.

Mishra, S.,X and V. K. Puri. (2005). Indian Economy. Himalays Publishing

House, Delhi. .

3.8 ANSWERSIHINTS TO CHECK YOUR

PROGRESS
Check Your Progress 1

1) Wheat area, production and productivity has increased to 26.48 m.ha,

...• ·69.35 m. tonnes and 2619 kg/ha in 2005-06 from 9.75 m.ha, 6.46 m.tonnes
and 663 kg/ha. in 1950-51 respectively.

2) Varietals improvement, irrigation development, increased use of farm

chemical and other technological development.

Check Your Progress 2

.1) Groundnut rape seed & mustard and soyabean.

2) The pulses and oilseeds production touched to 13.39 and 27.98 million
tonnes in 2005-06, respectively.

51

,.