India also known as the ‘ Land of Agriculture’ where agriculture began about 11,000 years ago with the domestication of animals and early cultivation
... [Show More] of plants, has made significant progress over the millennia and several evidence were found in the ancient scripts of Vedas, Upanishadas, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Indian Agriculture is very complex having several but distinct agro-ecosystems, having all type of climatic i.e. tropical, sub-tropical and temparate, soil like red soil, black cotton soil, alluvial, lomy soil etc., vegetation and other natural features. Total geographical area of country is around 328 mHa and is divided into 15 agro-climatic zones. Before Independence agriculture in India was mainly monsoon dependent and unfavourable rainfall, natural calamities resulted in total crop failure which causes several famines (Table. 1) throughout the history. Thus, agriculture is considered as one of the most prioritized sector by the planning commission and a very famous quote on agriculture was given by Prime Minister Nehru that ‘everything else can wait but not agriculture’. Though Indian Agriculture is weather dependent, degrading soil health, variability in temperature and mutation of virulent pest and pathogens, which are continuing post-independence, Indian agriculture achieved several landmarks primarily due to green revolution, white revolution and science-led agricultural development. After green revolution which happened during 1960s and as the time passed, Indian become self-sufficient in food security that brought confidence and raised the country’s stature globally. During that time eminent breeder of the country Dr. M.S. Swaminathan played a key role and he is considered as the “Father of Green Revolution” of India. After the agricultural revolutions (Table 2) India started achieving several milestones like country become the largest producer of milk (white revolution), pulses and jute and second largest producer of rice, wheat, cotton, fruits and vegetables in the world. India is also one of the leading producers of Fish (Blue Revolution) spices, poultry, livestock and plantation crops. The battle of country does not end here, it started struggling for increasing productivity, production, profitability and quality food (Bio-fortified) to meet the demand of increasing population at the same time reserving depleting natural resource base through sustainable agriculture.At present the country is focusing on enhancing farmers income by 200%, reducing fertilizer use by 25% and water use by 20%, increasing use of renewable energy by 50%, reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity by 45%. [Show Less]