<p>The share of agriculture in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has dipped from 36.4 per cent in 1982-83 to 14.2 per cent in 2010-11, said India: Issues and Challenges’ by S Rajendran, professor of economics at Periyar University, Salem. <br /><br />In his key-note address delivered at the national conference on ‘Inclusive Agriculture Growth in , the challenges and opportunities for agriculture in the country was dealt at length. </p>.<p>Rajendran attributed the decline to a decrease in remunerations in the farm enterprise, increase in farmer migration, farmer suicides and the growth in rural distress of the country.<br /><br />To revive the situation of farmers and agriculture in the country, he said, “ the marginalised and small farmers, agricultural labourers, women farm workers and Dalit agriculture workers are to be included in realising the benefits from agriculture sector.”<br /><br />He said that ‘administration disasters’ of the country, coupled with natural and man-made disasters have also contributed to the woes of the farmer in our nation.<br /><br />Commenting on the much debated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, he said that besides economics, there were political and ideological issues that influenced policy making on FDI. “Wider debate is needed to include every stakeholder in this crucial issue,” he said.</p>.<p>India has more potential to improve the efficiency of crops in productivity and animal husbandry, which can be achieved through sustained attempt by the policy, institutional and technological aides, he said.<br /><br />“To accelerate the pace of farm growth, building rural roads and strengthening market network is essential,” he said. Speaking about farmers who get less price for their produce than the cost of cultivation, he pointed out that unless farmers enjoy remunerative price for their products, they will be excluded from the growth engine.<br /></p>
<p>The share of agriculture in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has dipped from 36.4 per cent in 1982-83 to 14.2 per cent in 2010-11, said India: Issues and Challenges’ by S Rajendran, professor of economics at Periyar University, Salem. <br /><br />In his key-note address delivered at the national conference on ‘Inclusive Agriculture Growth in , the challenges and opportunities for agriculture in the country was dealt at length. </p>.<p>Rajendran attributed the decline to a decrease in remunerations in the farm enterprise, increase in farmer migration, farmer suicides and the growth in rural distress of the country.<br /><br />To revive the situation of farmers and agriculture in the country, he said, “ the marginalised and small farmers, agricultural labourers, women farm workers and Dalit agriculture workers are to be included in realising the benefits from agriculture sector.”<br /><br />He said that ‘administration disasters’ of the country, coupled with natural and man-made disasters have also contributed to the woes of the farmer in our nation.<br /><br />Commenting on the much debated Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, he said that besides economics, there were political and ideological issues that influenced policy making on FDI. “Wider debate is needed to include every stakeholder in this crucial issue,” he said.</p>.<p>India has more potential to improve the efficiency of crops in productivity and animal husbandry, which can be achieved through sustained attempt by the policy, institutional and technological aides, he said.<br /><br />“To accelerate the pace of farm growth, building rural roads and strengthening market network is essential,” he said. Speaking about farmers who get less price for their produce than the cost of cultivation, he pointed out that unless farmers enjoy remunerative price for their products, they will be excluded from the growth engine.<br /></p>
