The contribution of agriculture and allied sectors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country are 17.32 percent and 16.4 percent respectively during 2017-18. Although the share of agriculture and allied sector in GVA, which was 18.2 percent in 2012-13, has been declining steadily, it does not undermine the significance of the sector since it provides substantial employment, livelihood in rural areas and ensures much needed food security for the people. Agriculture employs more than 50 percent of the total work force of the country and approximately 60 percent households are dependent on it. However, it is estimated that the percentage of agricultural workers to the total work force, which was 58.2 percent in 2001, will drop to 25.7 percent by the year 2050 due to rapid urbanization and other reasons. Further, this will result in ‘feminism of agriculture’ whereby more number of women will be involved in various agricultural operations. The shortage ...