India’s land availability shrinks to 0.3 hectare per farmer

The minister said the per capita consumption of food has increased since independence,but the country still compares poorly when it comes to nutrition intake.

The sector’s share in generating employment too declined from 72 per cent in 1772 to 52 in 2008.

Speaking at the 4th National Conference on Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here,the minister said per capita consumption of most of the food items in India was still quite low. More than one-fifth of our population was still undernourished in terms of simple energy and protein intake.

He said to achieve the target of four per cent growth rate in agriculture during the 11th plan needed concerted efforts by improving water and soil management and diversifying into high-value agriculture,promoting animal husbandry and fishery.