Agriculture in India: Before and After Independence
Agriculture In India – Introduction
Agriculture has been an integral part of the Indian Economy, before and after Independence, despite its decline in share of GDP (17.2% as of 2011). Half of India’s population depends on Agriculture as a livelihood. India is 2nd in farm output. It the largest producer of coriander, spices, millets and many more; second in fruits such as mangoes and papaya; and third in rapeseed, tomatoes and coconuts. Yet 1/3rd of Indian population is under poverty line.
Before independence:
The British colonial government of India did not pursue an active policy of agricultural development despite modest efforts to formulate one. Indian exports, at the latter part of British Raj mainly comprised of foodgrains, cotton, jute, opium and indigo. By 1881, Famine commissions were set in each province in India aiming to step up agriculture. They carried out scientific research. But output was very low. After WWI, the Royal Commission (set up in 1926 to find reasons for low output) promoted welfare for the rural community and also suggested the formation of the ICAR (Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) which happened in 1929. Wide research was encouraged, and irrigation focused upon. The 1930s then saw the Great Depression felt worldwide.
After WWII and incidents including Bengal Famine and Great Depression, reorganization was effected.
Despite such great strides, there was a low productivity per hectare, because of several reasons, including the Great Depression of the 1930s, The Bengal Famine, primitive technology, extremely frequent droughts, unemployment or under-employment, poverty and exploitation of the rural community. Farmers were left with meager incentive and were bound to depend on moneylenders. The Land Tenure System was prominent. From 1891 to 1946, output of all crops grew at 0.4% per annum. This rate for food grains was only 0.1 % per year. Specifically, there were few improvements in seeds, agricultural implements,
Agriculture has been an integral part of the Indian Economy, before and after Independence, despite its decline in share of GDP (17.2% as of 2011). Half of India’s population depends on Agriculture as a livelihood. India is 2nd in farm output. It the largest producer of coriander, spices, millets and many more; second in fruits such as mangoes and papaya; and third in rapeseed, tomatoes and coconuts. Yet 1/3rd of Indian population is under poverty line.
Before independence:
The British colonial government of India did not pursue an active policy of agricultural development despite modest efforts to formulate one. Indian exports, at the latter part of British Raj mainly comprised of foodgrains, cotton, jute, opium and indigo. By 1881, Famine commissions were set in each province in India aiming to step up agriculture. They carried out scientific research. But output was very low. After WWI, the Royal Commission (set up in 1926 to find reasons for low output) promoted welfare for the rural community and also suggested the formation of the ICAR (Imperial Council of Agricultural Research) which happened in 1929. Wide research was encouraged, and irrigation focused upon. The 1930s then saw the Great Depression felt worldwide.
After WWII and incidents including Bengal Famine and Great Depression, reorganization was effected.
Despite such great strides, there was a low productivity per hectare, because of several reasons, including the Great Depression of the 1930s, The Bengal Famine, primitive technology, extremely frequent droughts, unemployment or under-employment, poverty and exploitation of the rural community. Farmers were left with meager incentive and were bound to depend on moneylenders. The Land Tenure System was prominent. From 1891 to 1946, output of all crops grew at 0.4% per annum. This rate for food grains was only 0.1 % per year. Specifically, there were few improvements in seeds, agricultural implements,