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rimary Sector of Indian Economy

Text Size Print Related Links Primary Sector Secondary Sector Tertiary Sector The Primary sector of the economy is the change of natural resources into primary products. Most products from this sector provides raw materials for other industries. The share of primary sector has decreased from the past four decades. In 1970 the share of the sector was 50% which has reduced to 29% in 1995 and is now further reduced to 25%. Major businesses in this sector are agriculture, agribusiness, fishing, forestry, all mining and quarrying industries.

Agriculture

Agriculture in India is the major sector of its economy. Almost two-thirds of the total work-force earns their livelihood though farming and other allied sectors like forestry, logging and fishing which account 18% of the GDP. These sectors provide employment to 60% of the country’s total population. About 43% of the country’s total geographical area is used for agricultural purposes. After independence additional areas were brought under cultivation and new methods, practices and techniques of irrigation and farming were introduced by the government. The “Green Revolution” and “Operation Flood” in the country have made India self sufficient in producing food grains and milk. Among other things, the government also tried to decrease the dependence on monsoons. Better seeds, use of fertilizer, education of farmers and provision of agricultural credit and subsidies are reasons for increase in agricultural productivity.

Today, India is the major producer of milk, cashew nuts, coconuts, tea, ginger, turmeric and black pepper in the whole world. It is the second largest producer of wheat, sugar, groundnut and inland fish. It is the third largest producer of tobacco and rice. India accounts for 10 per cent of the world fruit production with first rank in the production of banana and sapota (Sapodilla).

Agriculture in India is the responsibility of the states rather than the central government. The central government formulates policy and provides financial assistance to the states. States like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal are major producers of food grains in India. Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir are famous for fruit production. Tea is produced in the high altitudes of Assam, Darjeeling in West Bengal, Tripura, Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. Kerala is also the largest producer of natural rubber and spices in India. Rajasthan is among the major producers of edible oils in India and second largest producer of oil seeds. Production of non-conventional items like moong (a type of lentil), soyabeans and peanuts are gradually gaining importance.

Even though there has been a steady decline in its share in the GDP, agriculture still remains the largest economic sector and plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country.

Fishing

Fish breeding has increased almost five times since India got independence and is a prime industry in coastal regions.

The economic zone of India runs up to Indian ocean (370 Km) covering an area more than 2 million square kilometers. Approximately 4.5 million ton catches are expected from that area. India has about 14000 Km2 brackish water for aquaculture, out of which 600 Km2 were being farmed in early 1990s; about 16,000 Km2 of freshwater lakes, ponds and swamps; and nearly 64,000 kilometers of rivers and streams.

Mining

Mining is the term used for the extraction of useful material from the treatment of ore, vein or coal seam. Materials obtained from extraction may be base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock salt and potash. Any material obtained from agriculture or cultured in laboratory requires to be mined.