Agricultural Sector in India

India was primarily an agrarian economy — a vast majority of the population depended on agriculture for their livelihood.

• Agriculture was characterised by stagnation and deterioration.
• This was a direct outcome of the land settlement system introduced by the British.
• The zamindari system was one such land settlement system — the zamindars, acting as the middlemen, collected land revenue from the cultivators on behalf of the British.
• The zamindars were least concerned with improving the land; their sole interest was in collecting rent.

• Cultivators had no incentive to improve agricultural productivity.
• The British government did nothing to improve the condition of the cultivators.
• The small cultivators often fell into the trap of moneylenders to pay rent and meet household needs.

• Agricultural practices relied on old and outdated technology.
• Farmers lacked access to modern agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation.
• There was a lack of irrigation facilities — most agriculture was rain-dependent.

• During the British period, there was a forced commercialisation of agriculture.
• Farmers were compelled to grow cash crops (commercial crops) instead of food crops, to feed the demand of British industries.

• India's economy was primarily agrarian, with the majority dependent on farming for livelihood.
• Agriculture was stagnant and deteriorating at the time of independence.
• The land settlement system, especially the zamindari system, was a major cause of agricultural backwardness.
• Zamindars had no interest in improving land; their focus was only on collecting rent.
• Cultivators lacked incentives, resources, and access to modern inputs and irrigation.
• Moneylenders exploited small cultivators who borrowed to pay rent and meet basic needs.
• The commercialisation of agriculture forced farmers to shift from food crops to cash crops for British industries.