Modernization in agriculture in less developed countries

Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of civilization. Agricultural modernization is an important aspect of modernization and also an important component of world Modernization. Over the past 300 years, agricultural modernization increased food supply to humanity and raised the income level of farmers. This report discusses the facts, prospects and principles of world agricultural modernization Agricultural Modernization is the process of transforming the agricultural sector into one that is dynamic, and technologically advanced the world has witnessed spectacular increases in agricultural output during the twentieth century, particularly in its latter half. Since prosperous agriculture is considered to be the most crucial base for economic development particularly in the less developed countries (LDCs), the only viable option for them is to continue to enhance the productivity of land and labour in agriculture. Increased productivity in agriculture has been achieved in several parts of the world mainly by modernizing agriculture. Modernization consists largely of using improved seeds, modern farm machinery such as tractors, harvesters, threshers, etc., chemical fertilizers and pesticides in an optimal combination with water. The present study proposes to examine the role of modernization of agriculture in the over-all economic development of the LDCs. It addresses itself to the following specific questions: (a) What is the role of agriculture in the economic growth of LDCs? (b) What is the impact of modernization of agriculture on the productivity growth? (c) What role can the governments in LDCs play to promote modernization of agriculture?