Why is the agriculture beckbone of …

• Agriculture employs 67% of the labour in the country.
• It provides raw materials to the agro-based industries or the industries which depend on agriculture such as paper industry, natural textile industry etc.
• The country receives an important fraction of foreign exchange from agricultural export.
• This sector greatly contributes to the GDP of the country.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy because : 

(i) In India, about 63% people were engaged in agriculture sector in 2001.

 (ii) Share in GDP was more than 40% in 1973. 

(iii) Raw materials for secondary sectors are mostly supplied by agriculture. But now, the share of agriculture is declining in the GDP year by year. So, it is a matter of serious concern for all.

 (iv) Share of agriculture in the GDP has declined from 44% to 24% during 1973 to 2003. 

(v) The primary sector continues to be the largest employer even in 2000 but the production has not increased by this rate.