Agriculture: Recognising agriculture’s potential

It is ironic that the sector that provides livelihood to more than 40 per cent of the country’s workforce is so neglected. The contribution of agriculture is brushed aside by quoting just 22pc-23pc as its contribution to GDP. Regardless of the debate on the authenticity of the figures, this percentage of 22pc-23pc cannot be seen in isolation as agriculture provides inputs to various other sectors like manufacturing, transport, storage, wholesale and retail trade etc. A country’s economy is just like a book. It has to be read and analysed as a harmonised system where every sector is viewed holistically, and its linkages with the overall economy must be acknowledged. More than 200 agricultural research institutions in the country are duly registered, ranging from agricultural universities to agricultural/livestock research institutions. However, the actual output of these institutions is minimal.