Critically examine the development of agricultural sector in the context of objectives of planning such as growth, equity, modernisation and employment.

1. Growth and agricultural sector : Growth means increase in the country's capacity to produce the goods and services within the country. It implies either a larger stock of productive capital or a larger size of supporting sector like transport and banking or an increase in the efficiency of productive capital and service. There has been abundant increase in the production and productivity of food crops through Green Revolution (1960-1990). The spread of Green Revolution technology enabled India to achieve self-sufficiency in food-grains. India became exporter of food-grains in place of importer. We had marketed surplus. The green revolution enabled government to procure sufficient amount of food-grains to build a stock which could be used in the time of food shortage. Thus we achieved the goal of growth in agricultural sector.

2. Modernisation and agriculture : Modernisation refers to the adoption of technology, new methods of production and change in social outlooks. Agriculture has been modernised by adopting high yield variety of seeds etc. especially for wheat and rice. Fertilizer and pesticides in correct quantities are used. The irrigation facilities have been increased to ensure regular supply of water. The farmers are given financial aids to purchase fertilizers and pesticides. Thus, the objective of planning i.e. modernisation has been achieved in agricultural sector.

3. Equity and agriculture : Equity refers to reduction in inequality of income or wealth, uplifting weaker section of society and in more even distribution of economic power. This objective (equity) of planning has been achieved in the sector of agriculture to some extent. Following measures have been taken by the government to bring equity in agriculture :

(i)The government has abolished Zamindari system introduced by the British Government to bring equity in agriculture.

(ii) Land ceiling legislation was passed to promote equity in agricultural sector.

(iii) The government provided loans at a low interest rate to small farmers and subsidised fertilizers so that small farmers could also have access to the needed outputs.

4. Employment and agriculture : The decrease in the employment in agriculture sector is the indicator of economic growth. So with reference to the object of employment the percentage of labour force should decrease. The economists have found that as a nation became more prosperous, the proportion of GDP contributed by agriculture as well as the proportion of populating force in the sector declines considerably. In India between 1950 and 1990 the proportion of GDP contributed by agriculture declined; significantly but not the population depending on it. So this object (employment) of planning has not been achieved in the agricultural sector.