Indian Agriculture Infrastructure & Finance : A SLEPT Analysis

If the recent exponential increase in food prices is any indication, India faces the risk of food crisis. Agriculture is defined as the science and practice of activities relating to, processing, marketing, distribution, utilization, and trade of food, feed and fiber. Agriculture remains an important sector; it is highly diverse, its contribution in National GDP is approximately 18% and it supports the majority of its population for livelihood. An efficient agro-infrastructure helps in the optimization of resource use, output management, increase in farm incomes, widening of markets, growth of agro-based industry, addition to national income through value addition, and employment creation. The agro-finance assumes importance because most Indian rural families have inadequate savings to finance farming and other economic activities. Agricultural development strategy must address not only farmers but also those in marketing, trade, processing, and agri-business