AGRICULTURE IN INDIA: Crisis and Prospects

Agriculture has been the main source of livelihood for millions of Indians. India is second largest producer of agriculture products. India accounts for 7.68 per cent of total global agricultural output. Contribution of agriculture sector in Indian economy is much higher than world’s average (6.1%). Despite these significant figures, the status of agriculture in India has not been so encouraging in recent two-three decades. Shifting of agricultural lands due to urbanization, start of commercial cropping ventures by business houses and the recent phenomenon of drastic climatic changes have raised many questions. These factors, along with reduced benefits to farmers, have resulted in changing the agricultural fabric of the country to some extent. The small and medium agriculturists have been affected mostly due to these factors and as a result they are not willing to continue agriculture as their primary profession. Agriculture in India: Crisis and Prospects deciphers the macro and micro realities of agriculture in India. Besides an introduction by the editor, the book has thematic essays on emerging issues of farmers; to government policy and programmes; to present situation and also offers workable solutions to resuscitate the dwindling condition of agriculture. The book will be of immense interest to researchers, policy makers, planners and academic fraternity of all those interested in Indian agriculture.

Manu Gautam is Associate Professor at M.P. Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain (An ICSSR Institute). He has been undertaking research work on agriculture development, implementation aspects of food security programmes and its impact on marginalized sections, sustainable development, etc. He is also the Associate Editor of Madhya Pradesh Journal of Social Sciences.