What is the role of agriculture in the Indian economy? What has the government done to improve the role of agriculture in the Indian economy?  

well until recently, the curriculum followed by the country’s agriculture universities incorporated 60 per cent theory and 40 per cent practical training. Now, however, theory and practical command an equal ratio”, informs P Raghav Reddy, vice-chancellor , Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad. Elaborating on the reasons for this change, Reddy says, “Agriculture experts and scientists have realised that for the curriculum to be effective it has to be increasingly action and result-oriented . In other words, it has to prove its efficacy by translating into tangible benefits for the farming community.
so i think the Indian economy has been growing recently. they have been a lot of scope lately.
so can get more of this information from education times web site, here is the link it may help you
http://educationtimes.com/educati onTimes/getArticleDetail.do?section id=97&articleid=2009072120090721141 2155311014e36d&type=B&key=BOX1&pare ntname=Career%20Profiles&parent=96

Answered by adnan jariwa at 11:11 AM on July 28, 2009

India ranks second worldwide in farm output. Agriculture and allied sectors like forestry, logging and fishing accounted for 16.6% of the GDP in 2007, employed 60% of the total workforce[46] and despite a steady decline of its share in the GDP, is still the largest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic development of India. Yields per unit area of all crops have grown since 1950, due to the special emphasis placed on agriculture in the five-year plans and steady improvements in irrigation, technology, application of modern agricultural practices and provision of agricultural credit and subsidies since Green revolution in India. However, international comparisons reveal that the average yield in India is generally 30% to 50% of the highest average yield in the world.

The low productivity in India is a result of the following factors:

Illiteracy, general socio-economic backwardness, slow progress in implementing land reforms and inadequate or inefficient finance and marketing services for farm produce.
The average size of land holdings is very small (less than 20,000 m²) and is subject to fragmentation, due to land ceiling acts and in some cases, family disputes. Such small holdings are often over-manned, resulting in disguised unemployment and low productivity of labour.
Adoption of modern agricultural practices and use of technology is inadequate, hampered by ignorance of such practices, high costs and impracticality in the case of small land holdings.
Irrigation facilities are inadequate, as revealed by the fact that only 52.6% of the land was irrigated in 2003–04, which result in farmers still being dependent on rainfall, specifically the Monsoon season. A good monsoon results in a robust growth for the economy as a whole, while a poor monsoon leads to a sluggish growth. Farm credit is regulated by NABARD, which is the statutory apex agent for rural development in the subcontinent.
India does have multiple farm insurance companies that insure wheat, fruit, rice and rubber farmers in the event of natural disasters or catastrophic crop failure. One notible company that provides all of these insurance policies is agriculture insurance company of india and it alone insures almost 20 million farmers. India has more than 500 farm insurance companies of various size that operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Answered by Sonal Dutta at 8:33 PM on November 18, 2008

Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian economy though its share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has registered a declining trend from 1951 onwards; yet its share in providing employment and livelihood to the population continues to be as high as 63 per cent in 2001. The declining share of agriculture in the GDP is a matter of serious concern because any decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to a decline in other spheres of the economy having wider implications for society.

Considering the importance of agriculture in India, the Government of India made concerted efforts to modernise agriculture. Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), agricultural universities, veterinary services and animal breeding centres, horticulture development, research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecast, etc. were given priority for improving Indian agriculture. Apart from this, improving the rural infrastructure was also considered essential for the same. Though the GDP growth rate is increasing over the years, it is not generating sufficient employment opportunities in the country. The growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation.

Today, Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from international competition and our government is going ahead with reduction in the public investment in agriculture sector particularly in irrigation, power, rural roads, market and mechanisation. Subsidy on fertilisers is decreased leading to increase in the cost of production. Moreover, reduction in import duties on agricultural products have proved detrimental to agriculture in the country. Farmers are withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall in the employment in agriculture.

Answered by Sohil Mohil at 1:05 PM on November 15, 2008