The Agricultural Sector of India: Trends, Performance and Problems

Agriculture has always remained the lifeline for the Indian economy as it has provided work to a considerable section of the population and has also contributed highly to food security and economic development. The present study therefore is a direction on the trends in agricultural output, export, and import of major crops, as well as the challenges influencing agricultural growth in India. The research is completely based on secondary data for the period from 1950 to 2020, which is obtained from economic surveys, and agricultural statistics of India. Descriptive statistical tools such as trend analysis and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) calculations have been used to determine growth performance for selected crops that include rice, wheat, cotton, and jute. This study also examines the influence of several government initiatives, climate change and market forces on agricultural productivity. The findings of the study stress the need for reforms in the policy domain, sustainable farming practices, and better infrastructure for the agriculture sector to survive for a longer time.