What was the condition of agricultural sector at the time of independence?
The condition of the agricultural sector at the time of Independence can be understood with the help of the following points:
(i) Low level of Productivity The productivity levels were very low, at about 660 kg per hectare for wheat and 665 kg per hectare for rice.
(ii) High Degree of Vulnerability Agriculture was greatly affected by erratic rainfall.
(iii) Rift and Turmoil between Owners and Tillers The owners charged high rent from the tillers and demanded rent even when the crops failed. This demotivated the tillers, and agricultural productivity was negatively affected.
(iv) Uneconomic and Fragmented Landholdings The size of the landholdings was uneconomic and also the landholdings were scattered. This further affected the productivity of land adversely.
(v) Problem of Unemployment and Underemployment The agricultural sector was plagued with the problem of unemployment and underemployment.
(vi) Use of Primitive Techniques of Production The farmers used age-old primitive techniques of production, which was a cause of low productivity.