What was the percentage of population dependent directly or indirectly...
India's economy under British rule remained primarily agrarian - around 85% country's population lived in villages and derived livelihood directly or indirectly through agriculture.
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What was the percentage of population dependent directly or indirectly...
Percentage of Population Dependent on Agriculture
Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian economy for centuries. Even today, a significant portion of the population is dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture. The percentage of the population dependent on agriculture has been a topic of much debate and discussion. Let's take a look at the data to understand the answer to this question.
Data on Agriculture in India
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as of 2016-17, the agricultural sector contributed around 17% to the country's GDP. The sector employed around 50% of the country's total workforce.
The data also shows that around 58% of the rural households in India are engaged in agriculture. The rest of the households are engaged in non-farm activities such as manufacturing, construction, and services.
However, it's important to note that not all households engaged in agriculture are entirely dependent on it. Many of them have diversified their income sources by engaging in non-farm activities as well.
Percentage of Population Dependent on Agriculture
Based on the above data, we can conclude that:
- Around 50% of the country's total workforce is engaged in agriculture.
- Around 58% of the rural households in India are engaged in agriculture.
Therefore, it's safe to say that a significant portion of the population is dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture. However, the percentage of the population dependent on agriculture cannot be accurately determined as it's subject to various factors such as the definition of "dependent", the level of mechanization in agriculture, the size of land holdings, and the availability of non-farm job opportunities in rural areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the percentage of the population dependent on agriculture in India is a complex issue that cannot be accurately determined. However, based on the available data, we can say that a significant portion of the population is dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture.
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