Modernisation of agriculture and economic development: the Indian experience

Abstract

The world has witnessed spectacular increases in agricultural output during the twentieth century, particularly in its latter half. This achievement is mainly ascribed to the improved agricultural practices leading to higher productivity of land and labour. The contribution of extensive cultivation has not been significant of late. Bringing more land area under agriculture is becoming more and more difficult in most countries. Since prosperous agriculture is considered to be the most crucial base for economic development particularly in the less developed countries (LDCs), the only viable option for them is to continue to enhance the productivity of land and labour in agriculture. Increased productivity in agriculture has been achieved in several parts of the world mainly by modernizing agriculture. Modernization consists largely of using improved seeds, modern farm machinery such as tractors, harvesters, threshers, etc., chemical fertilizers and pesticides in an optimal combination with water. The present study proposes to examine the role of modernization of agriculture in the overall economic development of the LDCs. It addresses itself to the following specific questions: (a) What is the role of agriculture in the economic growth of LDCs? (b) What is the impact of moderniza tion of agriculture on the produc tivity growth? (c) What role can the governments in LDCs play to promote moderniza tion of agriculture?