Indian Agriculture in the Globalization Era - Position and Prospects

With a rich experience of green revolution of 1960s initiated by technological breakthrough, much was expected from Indian Agriculture in the following years. Then there was an almost lull period. The New Economic Reforms of 1990s promised a period of resurgence, with a fast growth of economy in general and agricultural sector in particular. But on the contrary, the post WTO period has witnessed a sharp decline in agricultural production. The agricultural sector is facing a crisis. Free trade has not been free from problems. Farming and farming community are waiting for a fair treatment even as many of them have lost interest or lives. The whole world knows what Indian farmers desired, deserved and derived from globalization. There can be no better time than now - the period of second generation reforms - for a critical study of this vital sector of the Indian economy and for ensuring a second green revolution in the near future. This paper, therefore, makes an attempt to trace the growth and problems of agriculture during the reforms period and to find ways and means of resolving the present crisis in order to develop Indian agriculture into a vibrant sector contributing substantially to the growth of New Age Indian economy and for its sustainable development