aZonal Project Directorate, Zone-VII, JNKVV Campus, Jabalpur – 482 004, Madhya Pradesh.
bDES&M Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana.
cCPGS (Central Agricultural University), Barapani.
dRajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan.
This paper has conducted SWOT analysis of agricultural sector in India. According to it, the abundant availability of raw material, easy availability of labour, growing capacity of food processing industry, by-default ‘organic’ production in many parts of the country and vast pool of scientific and technical manpower are the strengths of the sector. The agribusiness-led growth has good potential to contribute to sustained economic development of the country. The increasing demand for processed and high-value food in domestic and international markets, globalization and integration on international consumer market offer further opportunities for development of agribusiness in the country. Small and fragmented holdings, lack of government support, low value-addition, poor infrastructural development, lack of awareness and consequently, poor management practices, etc. are some of the weaknesses of the sector. Increased competition and import threat, environmental threat, threat to unorganized retail players, maintenance of health & safety standards are some of threats being faced by Indian agriculture. Investment is required in public infrastructure to facilitate market linkages and to induce private investment in cold chains, food processing and other market infrastructural development besides investment in R&D. Appropriate policy support is also required to strengthen supply chain and value addition.
