Agricultural Productivity in India: Trends, Challenges and Suggestions

India is predominantly an agricultural economy. Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is unquestionably the largest livelihood provider in India, more so in the vast rural areas. It also contributes a significant figure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Generation of surplus from agricultural production will ultimately depend on increasing the agricultural productivity. Various studies have been conducted related to agricultural productivity. The present study is conducted with the objective to analyze the trend and patterns of agricultural productivity of main food grains, causes of low productivity, to put light on various schemes started by government and for providing suggestions for policy implications. Data is collected from secondary sources like reports, ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare as well as Reserve Bank of India publications. It was observed that there is a low pace of agricultural productivity as well as there is lack of finances. Suggestions are given for further policy implications for increasing productivity after reviewing causes of low pace of productivity or downward trends in agricultural production.