India's agricultural growth in the twentieth century has been low compared to that in other developing countries. However, there have been some important developments in the agricultural sector in this period. Famines have all but disappeared and there is now a food surplus. The green revolution too increased yield and productivity for certain crops in specific agro-climatic zones. Having said that, a lot still needs to be done. While agricultural growth has contributed to significant decline in poverty, India still remains home to the largest number of poor. Agricultural productivity remains low in much of the rain fed areas where poverty and malnutrition are concentrated. Land productivity is also declining in areas which are over-irrigated. Agricultural growth must be restarted, and the benefits more fairly distributed. This timely handbook reviews key issues in Indian agriculture today. Individual contributors assess: · The state of Indian agriculture in relation to state and central economic policies and their impact on the economic and societal environment · The need to shift focus from green revolution areas to other regions and crops in the context of globalization and even distribution of the benefits achieved · Food security, not only at the national but also at the regional, household, and group levels · Contemporary issues relating to poverty and agricultural subsidies · Emerging issue of the changing agrarian system and rural urban linkages

Contributed articles; with reference to India.

Contributed articles; with reference to India.

A Handbook of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1 compiled based on the syllabus of different competitive exams in Agriculture and Allied subjects. This book encompasses 6 units and they are Importance of Agriculture, Fundamentals of Crop Production, Agricultural Meteorology, Natural Resources Management (Soil Science, Dryland Agriculture, Watershed and Wasteland Management, Water Management), Crop Management and Allied Agricultural Activities (Crop Management, Agricultural Microbiology, Mushroom, Bee keeping, Silkworm Rearing, Agricultural Engineering and Animal Husbandry), Crop Improvement (Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology), Seed Science and Technology. One liner version of book is extremely valuable for preparation of competitive exams like Union and State Public Service Commissions, Agricultural Research Services - National Eligibility Test (ARS - NET), Institute of Banking Personnel Services (IBPS), PG entrance exams of State Agricultural Universities (SAU's), All India Entrance Examinations for UG and PG admissions to agriculture, National Seeds Corporations (NSC), Food Corporation of India (FCI), Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), Tamil Nadu Public Service Examinations (Agricultural Officer, Assistant Agricultural Officer), JRF, SRF, RA of Central and State Government schemes and externally funded schemes and other competitive examinations.

Offering a perception of Indian agriculture, this book focuses on the aspects such as: significance of land; role of water; soil formation; cropping pattern; health problems; use of fertilizers; plant structure; and more.