Page 24 - OKHCoffieeTableBook_Neat

Dr. Ashok Gulati called upon policy makers of in agriculture. Thus, growth in agricultural sector is
the nation to follow a pathway to listen, think very critical in reducing poverty.
and act with a motto of transforming society.
In the pyramid of sectors that need attention Last twenty five years, the growth of agriculture is
for reducing poverty, agriculture should be the pegged at 3.2% per annum. At the same time, last
base, needing priority attention and investment; ten years have seen a growth of 3.6% per annum in
second, the manufacturing industry and third, agriculture in India, although disparities have been
the service industry. In his speech, he touched observed in growth rates within the states. Madhya
upon four important areas while talking of getting Pradesh and Gujarat have reported growth rates of
agriculture back on track: 1. The importance and 9.7% and 9.6% per annum respectively, whereas
the current state of agriculture in India. 2. Last the simultaneous rate of growth of agriculture
ten years perspective of Indian agriculture and in Odisha was 2.4% per annum. In the 11th five
the global context. 3. The options available to year plan, India achieved 4.1% growth rate in
transform Indian agriculture and 4. Suggestions agriculture against targeted growth rate of 4%
for improvement of agricultural sector in Odisha. per annum. During the period from 1993 – 2004,
the agricultural growth rate remained below 3%
India is expected to be the most populous country per annum and during the period 2004 -11, the
by 2022, thereby facing a major challenge of food growth rate escalated to 3.7% per annum. If we
security. At the same time, the expected increase compare the reduction in the rate of poverty in
in GDP and per capita income would drive the
increased demand for food. The situation is
going to be worsened by the fact that the urban
population would also increase who are not
engaged in production of food while consuming
food. Land is also limited and water is already
getting scarce. All these factors are going to
make required food production a distant reality.
While the overall per capita income is increasing,
the agriculture per capita income is decreasing.
During 2014-16, the rate of growth for agriculture
was 0.45% while 50% of the population is engaged