Challenges faced by India's agricultural sector during this era:

1. Lack of modernization and technology: The agricultural sector in India has been grappling with the challenge of technological backwardness. Outdated farming practices, inadequate use of machinery, and limited access to modern technologies have hindered the sector's growth and productivity.

2. Small and fragmented landholdings: India's agricultural sector is characterized by the prevalence of small and fragmented landholdings. This poses a significant challenge as it limits economies of scale and hampers the adoption of modern farming techniques. Fragmentation also leads to inefficient use of resources and lower productivity.

3. Dependence on monsoons: The Indian agricultural sector heavily relies on monsoons for irrigation. Irregular rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods have a significant impact on agricultural production. Lack of proper irrigation facilities and water management exacerbate the vulnerability of farmers to climatic variations.

4. Declining groundwater levels: Overexploitation of groundwater resources for irrigation purposes has led to a decline in water tables across various parts of the country. This has resulted in increased costs of irrigation, reduced availability of water for agriculture, and poses a threat to the sustainability of agriculture in the long run.

5. Limited access to credit and insurance: Farmers in India often face challenges in accessing credit and insurance facilities. Lack of financial support hinders farmers' ability to invest in modern inputs, machinery, and technology. Furthermore, the absence of adequate insurance coverage makes farmers vulnerable to risks such as crop failure, pests, and natural disasters.

6. Price fluctuations and market volatility: Farmers in India often face price volatility due to factors such as fluctuating demand, inadequate market infrastructure, and lack of price stabilization measures. This uncertainty in prices affects farmers' income and discourages investment in agriculture.

7. Lack of post-harvest infrastructure: The absence of adequate post-harvest infrastructure, such as storage facilities and cold chains, leads to significant post-harvest losses. This not only reduces farmer incomes but also impacts the overall availability and quality of agricultural produce in the market.

8. Migration of rural labor: The agricultural sector has witnessed a significant migration of rural labor to urban areas in search of better livelihood opportunities. This labor shortage poses a challenge to farming activities, especially during critical periods such as sowing and harvesting.

9. Inadequate government support: While the government has implemented various policies and programs to support the agricultural sector, there is a need for more comprehensive measures. Inadequate investment in agriculture, limited extension services, and lack of effective implementation of existing schemes hinder the sector's growth.

Overall, addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including investment in research and development, promotion of modern farming techniques, expansion of irrigation facilities, better access to credit and insurance, development of market infrastructure, and enhanced government support to farmers.