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Agriculture

Agriculture Sector on The Eve of Independence

On the eve of independence, the Indian economy's first recognized source of revenue and employment was agriculture. Learn more about agriculture sector on the eve of independence here.

Mridula Sharma18 Oct, 2024

Agriculture Sector on The Eve of Independence: Before British occupation, India held a self-reliant economy marked by a strong farming sector acting as the main income source for the people. The nation's economic environment featured diverse manufacturing industries, gaining global recognition for its skill in arts, cotton and silk fabrics, and exceptional craftsmanship in metals and valuable stones.

However, on the eve of Independence, the farming sector experienced a drop in production credited to various causes, which will be studied in depth in this piece.

Agriculture Sector on The Eve of Independence

India's economy has long been rooted in agriculture, with about two-thirds of the national income currently coming from this sector. Before independence in 1947, under British rule, more than 90% of the country’s income depended on agriculture. Most of the population lived in rural areas, relying heavily on farming for their livelihood. In pre-colonial times, India primarily grew two main crops: wheat and rice. Despite this limited variety, the agricultural sector was both sustainable and self-sufficient. However, British rule led to the commercialization of agriculture, which resulted in stagnation and decline by the time India gained independence. India's freedom fighters made great sacrifices to free the nation from British rule. But have you ever wondered what India’s economy looked like on Independence Day in 1947? The colonial government's exploitative policies left the country in a severely weakened state. When the British finally left, the Indian economy was in ruins, crippled by years of mismanagement and exploitation.

Characteristics of Indian Agriculture On the Eve of Independence

Considering the condition of the Indian economy on the eve of Independence in 1947, it was particularly challenging. The fall of India's farming sector on the eve of Independence can be linked to several factors:

Land Ownership Fragmentation

Before Independence, the Indian economy greatly depended on farmland, but the sector was on a fast decline. The main cause was the divided ownership of land, making farming more difficult due to numerous individual landlords.

Obsolete Agricultural Technology

Even after getting freedom, outdated farming technology remained in India. The lack of modern tools and important sources like fertilizers limited productivity by depending heavily on human work.

Low Agricultural Productivity

The lack of new methods and the fragmented nature of land ownership led to significantly low output per acre. This led to a sharp decrease in productivity within India's farming sector, badly hurting the general economy.

Landowner-Cultivator Conflicts

Persistent conflicts between landowners and growers were another cause of the agriculture sector's fall. Landowners only shared the output without adding to farming costs, causing financial strain for farmers who had to bear both rent and production expenses.

Rainfall Dependency

Due to the lack of modern ways and tools, India's crops depended highly on rainfall. Adequate rainfall resulted in increased output, while low rainfall led to reduced production, showing the fragility of the sector.

Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming, based solely on self-consumption rather than market sales, further destabilized India's agriculture. This method added to the sector's failure during this time.

Also Read: Difference Between Explicit Cost and Implicit Cost

Condition of Indian Agriculture on the Eve of Independence

The following are the condition of Indian Agriculture on the Eve of Independence:

British land settlements and governmental policies during the pre-Independence period resulted in a notable decline in agricultural production and productivity.
The zamindari system, a prominent factor at that time, meant that Zamindars claimed all profits, leaving farmers and cultivators discouraged to enhance production, leading to diminished yields.
Irrigation systems and canals under British rule were underdeveloped, relying heavily on unpredictable monsoon rains.
The substandard level of agricultural productivity during this period can be ascribed to insufficient technological advancements, a lack of irrigation facilities, and inadequate utilization of fertilizers.
The overall consequence of these factors was a severely weakened state of the Indian economy's agricultural sector on the eve of Independence.

Stagnation in the Agriculture Sector of India During British Rule

Under British rule, Indian agriculture suffered a state of stagnation. The lack of effective control led in a failure of changes meant to boost output. Meanwhile, the British government prioritized trade deals that aimed at taking greater profits, eventually adding to the fall of India's farming sector.

Causes of Stagnation in Agriculture Sector of India During Colonial Rule

Several factors contributed to the stagnation of India's agricultural sector during the colonial period. Some of these include:

Zamindari System

The British-introduced land tenure system, encompassing Mahalwari, Zamindari, and Ryotwari Systems, played a pivotal role in the stagnation of Indian agriculture. The Zamindari System, particularly prominent in Bengal, designated Zamindars as permanent landowners, leading to an unequal distribution of profits. Zamindars exploited cultivators by imposing high agricultural revenues, leaving them with meager sustenance. Additionally, cultivators were often compelled to work on Zamindars' farms.

Forced Commercialization

Despite resource shortages, the British administration emphasized widespread commercialization for enhanced profits. This involved a shift from traditional self-consumption-focused cultivation to a market-oriented approach. British rulers compelled farmers to cultivate cash crops like Indigo, detrimental to soil fertility. The preference for cash crops over food crops, driven by British industries' demand, exacerbated economic issues, including frequent famines.

Partition Impact

The partition of India with Pakistan and Bangladesh triggered a nationwide food crisis due to the division of crop-yielding lands. This event also disrupted the supply of raw materials to textile mills in Ahmedabad and Bombay, as well as jute mills in Calcutta. The transfer of agriculturally rich regions like West Punjab and Sindh to Pakistan further intensified the food crisis in India.

Lack of Irrigation and Technology

Insufficient attention from the British rulers to irrigation facilities and technological advancements in India exacerbated the agricultural stagnation. The inadequate irrigation infrastructure and technological lag diminished crop productivity, pushing cultivators into hardship during the colonial era.

Read Related Topics
Accounting Concepts	Vocabulary and Types of Vocabulary
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Agriculture Sector on the Eve of Independence FAQs

What was the agriculture sector of India after independence?

After independence, India's agriculture sector was characterized by small landholdings, traditional farming methods, and a focus on food crops.

What was the change in the agriculture sector during British rule?

During British rule, the agriculture sector in India saw the introduction of cash crops, land revenue systems, and exploitative policies, leading to a decline in traditional farming practices.

What was the major occupation on the eve of independence?

Agriculture was the major occupation on the eve of independence, employing a significant portion of the population.

Why was there low agricultural productivity in India on the eve of independence?

Low agricultural productivity on the eve of independence was attributed to outdated farming techniques, lack of modern infrastructure, and inadequate access to credit and resources.

What were the problems of agriculture on the eve of independence?

Problems included fragmented landholdings, lack of irrigation facilities, absence of modern technology, and inadequate credit facilities.

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However, on the eve of Independence, the farming sector experienced a drop in production credited to various causes, which will be studied in depth in this piece.

Agriculture Sector on The Eve of Independence

Characteristics of Indian Agriculture On the Eve of Independence

Land Ownership Fragmentation

Obsolete Agricultural Technology

Even after getting freedom, outdated farming technology remained in India. The lack of modern tools and important sources like fertilizers limited productivity by depending heavily on human work.

Low Agricultural Productivity

Landowner-Cultivator Conflicts

Rainfall Dependency

Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming, based solely on self-consumption rather than market sales, further destabilized India's agriculture. This method added to the sector's failure during this time.

Also Read: Difference Between Explicit Cost and Implicit Cost

Condition of Indian Agriculture on the Eve of Independence

The following are the condition of Indian Agriculture on the Eve of Independence:

British land settlements and governmental policies during the pre-Independence period resulted in a notable decline in agricultural production and productivity.
The zamindari system, a prominent factor at that time, meant that Zamindars claimed all profits, leaving farmers and cultivators discouraged to enhance production, leading to diminished yields.
Irrigation systems and canals under British rule were underdeveloped, relying heavily on unpredictable monsoon rains.
The substandard level of agricultural productivity during this period can be ascribed to insufficient technological advancements, a lack of irrigation facilities, and inadequate utilization of fertilizers.
The overall consequence of these factors was a severely weakened state of the Indian economy's agricultural sector on the eve of Independence.

Stagnation in the Agriculture Sector of India During British Rule

Causes of Stagnation in Agriculture Sector of India During Colonial Rule

Several factors contributed to the stagnation of India's agricultural sector during the colonial period. Some of these include:

Zamindari System

Forced Commercialization

Partition Impact

Lack of Irrigation and Technology

Read Related Topics
Accounting Concepts	Vocabulary and Types of Vocabulary
What is Financial Institution?	Visual Communication
Unit Trust of India	Sale of Goods Act
Acceptance	Treatment of Goodwill