Indian agriculture-Retrospect and prospect

Agriculture for the Indian rural people is the way of life, a tradition, which for centuries, has shaped thought, outlook, culture and economic life of the people of the country. It is not a commodity machine but the backbone of the livelihood security system, where more than two-thirds of the population lives in the villages. So, agriculture is not just a question of economics and trade but of dignity and survival, and has a special significance for low income group, poor and vulnerable section of rural society.