Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economic development of a country. It is the backbone of our economic system. Agriculture not only provides food and raw material but also employment opportunities to a very large proportion of the population. The following points explain the role of agriculture in economic development.
Source of Livelihood: In many developing countries, agriculture is the primary source of livelihood. According to the World Bank, agriculture is the largest source of jobs worldwide, providing livelihoods for 40% of today's global population. It is the largest employer of people and provides a livelihood to most of the people living in rural areas.
Contribution to National Income: Agriculture plays a significant role in the overall economic scenario of our country. The contribution of agriculture in the national income is considerable. In many countries, agriculture contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Significance in International Trade: Agricultural exports constitute a significant portion of total exports in several countries. Agricultural products like sugar, tea, rice, spices, tobacco, coffee etc. constitute the major items of exports of countries that rely on agriculture.
Agricultural cooperation can be a powerful engine for the sustainable development of agriculture. Cooperation in agriculture can take many forms, including cooperative farming, agricultural cooperatives, and international agricultural cooperation.
Cooperative Farming: Cooperative farming has emerged as one of the most important aspects of agriculture. It involves sharing of resources such as land, machinery, seeds, and manpower. This not only reduces the cost of production but also increases productivity.
Agricultural Cooperatives: Agricultural cooperatives play a crucial role in supporting small agricultural producers and marginalized groups such as young farmers, women farmers, and indigenous peoples. They empower their members economically and socially and create sustainable rural employment through business models that are resilient to economic and environmental shocks.
International Agricultural Cooperation: International agricultural cooperation involves the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources between countries. This can involve collaborative research projects, exchange programs for farmers, and shared use of agricultural technology.
Through agricultural cooperation, countries can plant the seeds of prosperity. By working together, sharing resources, and exchanging knowledge, countries can improve their agricultural productivity, enhance their food security, and boost their economies.
Improving Agricultural Productivity: Through cooperative farming and the use of agricultural cooperatives, countries can improve their agricultural productivity. This can lead to increased food production, which can reduce food prices and improve food security.
Enhancing Food Security: By improving agricultural productivity, countries can also enhance their food security. Food security is achieved when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Boosting Economies: By improving agricultural productivity and enhancing food security, countries can boost their economies. A more productive and efficient agricultural sector can help to foster economic growth, create employment opportunities, and reduce poverty.
In conclusion, agricultural cooperation can play a key role in planting prosperity. By working together, countries can harness the power of agriculture to drive economic development, improve food security, and lift people out of poverty.