Report of the Study Team Agricultural Administration Volume I

Abstract

Agriculture is the most important industry in India. It provides livelihood for 70% of the population and accounts for about 50% of our national income, 50% of the industrial raw material and over 50% of our earnings in foreign exchange. The economic growth and prosperity of the country depends almost wholly on a strong, efficient and prosperous agricultural base. Enough food for the growing population and ample raw material for our industries and competitiveness for our agricultural products in international markets are essentials of prosperity. These can be achieved only through reorientation of our attitudes and priorities, and formulation of realistic policies and programmes. It is worthwhile to note that even industrially advanced countries like U.S.A., France and Japan owe their prosperity to their strong agricultural base. Agricultural development, in many of these countries, has provided more income and higher standard of living to their people, stimulus for development of industries, expansion of employment potential and export market and savings of avoidable imports. Ours is, by tradition, an agricultural country bestowed with abundant natural resources. Development of agricultural to its fullest potential is, therefore, the kingpin of Indian economy. It is only a prosperous farm economy that can usher an era of lasting peace, prosperity and political stability.