Describe the factors responsible for the decline in the production of foodgrains in India.

The factors responsible for the decline in the production of foodgrains in India :

(i)There has been a gradual shift from cultivation of food crops to cultivation of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds. This has led to the reduction is net area under cereals and pulses.

(ii)The competition for land between non-agricultural uses such as housing etc. has resulted in reduction in the net sown area.

(iii)Fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides which once showed dramatic results, are now being held responsible for degrading the soils.

(iv)Periodic scarcity of water has led to reduction in area under irrigation. Inefficient water management has led to water logging and salinity.

(v)The unsustainable pumping has reduced water storage in aquifers. Consequently, many wells and tubewells have run dry. This has pushed the marginal and small farmers out of cultivation