The Economic Status of the Marginalized Farmers in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Nearly 53% of the population is employed in the agricultural sector, which occupies more than 46% of the country's land area and is essential to the inclusive and sustainable growth of the Indian economy. The necessity for a strong growth rate in the agricultural sector was highlighted by the fact that, in 2019–20, almost 30.5% of rural residents lived below the poverty line. Therefore, by giving the vast majority of the nation's population jobs and food security, the agriculture sector not only helps the economy grow overall but also lowers poverty. Food grain production grew from 52 million tons in 1950–51 to 250 million tons in 2019–2020. At the same time, oil seed production increased from 5 million tons to 28 million tons throughout the last 60 years. In terms of production of sugarcane, groundnuts, cereals, fruits, wheat, and paddy, India came in third. Agriculture and related industries' contribution of the GDP decreased gradually from 38.8% in 1980–1981 to 13.7% in 2019–20. Additionally, the proportion of workers employed in agriculture fell from 75.9% in 1961 to 56.4% in 2015–16. The performance of agriculture in the post-independence period had been impressive as compared to the pre independence period. The overall performance of agriculture and allied sector had got up to the mark during the period 2001-2011. The low growth in GDP from agriculture during 2011-2019 coupled with higher instability would have led to more vulnerability and distress among the farming community.