India is mainly an agricultural
country. Agriculture accounts for approximately 33 percent of India's
GDP and employs nearly 62 percent of the population. It accounts for
8.56 % of India’s exports. About 43 % of India's geographical
area is used for agricultural activity. In the past, India had to
import most of its food. But improved farming techniques and the using
of irrigation and high-yield grains has greatly increased. In India,
since most of the cropped area even now does not have any assured
irrigation, the monsoon assumes a crucial role in influencing
agricultural production.
India's agriculture exports (excluding
tea, coffee, marine products and raw cotton) during 1994-95 was Rs
70,490 million. Important items of agricultural export are rice,
cashewnuts, coffee, tea, horticulture and floriculture products etc.
Increasing Production
One of the main challenges facing
India was producing enough food for the increasing population. As not
more than the existing land is fit for cultivation, India has to
strive to develop productivity on existing land. Over the past four
decades, India more than tripled its food production. The high yeild
varieties of wheat and rice in the mid-1960s led to this dramatic
increase. Although 30 percent of this production growth (known as the
Green Revolution) came from expanding farmland area, most of the
increase since the late 1970s, has come from increased average yields.
In other words, farmers using the new varieties of grain were growing
more food on the same amount of land.
India has the world's largest cattle
population (193 million), large numbers of sheep and goats, and more
water buffalo and camels than any other country. This has placed heavy
demands on the grazing lands. Both grasslands and forest areas suffer
as a result.
Growth in milk and egg production also
increased dramatically. Dairy and poultry enterprises now provide
substantially higher financial returns per hectare than crop farming.
Such enterprises create new jobs and bring about health and
nutritional improvements.
Water: A Vital Resource
Increased use of irrigation has helped
India increase average yields. About one third of the cropland in
India is irrigated, but rainfed agriculture is central to the economy.
Harvests and national prosperity have traditionally depended on a
successful southwest monsoon, the source of about three fourths of
India's annual rainfall. The timing and intensity of the monsoon
varies from year to year. About one fourth of the cropland is prone to
flooding.
Though irrigation is reliable source
of water and helps increase productivity, it may also damage the soil
making it less productive. The soil tends to become salinised when the
water evaporates and leaves salt deposits. Sometimes irrigation leads
to waterlogging of the soil lowering crop yields, and hastening the
loss of soil nutrients. Irrigation also leads to loss of soil
nutrients (such as zinc, copper, and iron) which plants need to grow.
Soil degradation seriously affects agricultural production. About 210
million acres (85 million hectares) of India's farmland are affected.
Despite its great progress in
increasing agricultural production, India's average yield of cereal
crops is less than half that of China and the United States. However,
production must be increased without destroying the basic resources of
soil and water, if it is to be sustainable.
Improved irrigation techniques have
the potential to increase food production. Improved farming techniques
in areas that rely on rainfall also could improve yield. Improving the
use of fertilizer, especially on rainfed land, also would help
production. India is trying a variety of strategies, from
sophisticated water management techniques to traditional farming
practices.
Source: World Resources 1994-95.
Agricultural and Processed Food
Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Ansal Chambers No.II, 3/F,6, Bhikaji
Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066
Ph : 6192141
Fax : 6195016
E-mail : apeda@giasd101.vsnl.net.in
Mr. D. Rajagopalan Chairman Sqn. Ldr.
D.B. Sabharwall Secretary Mr. J.S. Raju Director (Ph. 6181512)
Areas of Interest : Animal Products, Cereals, Floriculture and Seeds,
Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Other
Processed Food.
Some Relevant Links
National Agricultural Cooperative
Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED)
NAFED House, Siddartha Enclave, Ashram Chowk, Ring Road, New Delhi
Ph : 683 2293, 684 0163, 683 1810
Fax : 684 0261
One of the premier co-operative
marketing organisation of the country, Nafed undertakes export of a
wide range of agro-products. Export of Onion and Nigerseed are
canalised through Nafed . It undertakes export of Cotton against the
quota allocated by Government of India. In addition, it exports
commodities such as Fresh Fruit and Vegetables; Oilseeds; Spices;
Foodgrains; Pulses and Other Agro Products are undertaken to various
destinations under Open General Licence.
http://www.nic.in/nafed/
Agro Advantage Maharashtra is a
Government of Maharashtra event, organised in close collaboration with
various associates. It aims at the agricultural and its allied
industrial potential in terms of investment oppurtunities open to
global investors.
http://agroadv.gov.in/
