ICSE Class 9 Answered

Role of agriculture in the Indian economy:  

1. Share in national income: Due to the development of the primary and secondary sectors, the share of agriculture in the national income has decreased from 61% in 1950-51 to 14.6% in 2009-10. But agriculture still continues to play a significant role in the growth of socio-economic sector in India.
2. Largest employment producing sector: Agriculture is the only means of living for two-thirds of the employed people in India. In 1950-51, 69.5% of the total working population was engaged in agriculture. It has been reduced to 56.7% in 2001. Due to a rapid increase in the population, the absolute number of people involved in agriculture has grown enormously.
3. Providing raw material for industrial development: Many industries such as cotton and jute industries, sugar industry, vanaspati industries depend on the agricultural sector for raw material and for their development. 
4. Market for industrial products: Agriculture also provides a market for industrial goods. Purchasing power of the rural people is a valuable motivation to industrial development. 
5. Importance in international trade: Agriculture plays a significant role in international trading activities.  Total exports have been increased from 6.9% in 2010-11 to 9.08% in 2011-12.