Agriculture is the production, processing, marketing and use of foods,
fibers and byproducts from plant crops and animals. India is one of the
leading agricultural countries in the world and our Agricultural sector
plays a crucial role in the economic development of the country. Agriculture
contributes around 23% of the Gross Domestic product (GDP). About 62%
of Indian population depend on agriculture for livelihood, it provides
large scale employment and also fulfills the food and nutritional requirements
of the nation.
India also has enormous potential as an exporter of agricultural commodities.
The variety of climatic types and natural conditions offer a conducive
environment for the cultivation of a large variety of agricultural produce.
A country is usually considered to be socially and politically stable,
if it possesses a very stable agricultural base.
Agriculture has emerged as a vast and diversified field encompassing
so many areas, that there are numerous career opportunities to be considered
in this field. The field of agriculture includes farm management, businesses
and industries that manufacture agricultural machinery, industries that
buy and process the farm products, banking activities for financing and
developing farms, research for improving quantity and quality of farm
products, so on and so forth.
Study of economic principles, with emphasis on their application, to
the solution of farm, agribusiness and agricultural industry problems
in relationship to other sectors is known as Agricultural Economics. Agricultural
economics deals with the business side of agriculture. The field of agricultural
economics looks at all elements of food production and applies rational
thought and planning as a whole. From crops, livestock, land usage and
soil content, all aspects of farm life are examined, including how its
relation to one another can be strengthened.
Those who work in this business field of agriculture is known by the
name Agricultural economists. Agricultural economists manage farms and
other agricultural industries by applying business concepts and problem-solving
techniques. Agricultural economists also predict trends in markets for
farm products. They closely observe and explain changes in the market.
An agricultural economist; would monitor crops, prices, animal health,
equipment, imports and exports, weather cycles, buying patterns, and new
methods of production.
A career in agricultural economics is ideal for those who enjoy agricultural
business and also have a knack for calculation and economical theory.
Agricultural economics combines the technical aspects of agriculture with
the business aspects of management, marketing and finance thus providing
range of careers in fields like marketing of commodities and management
of agribusinesses, farms and ranches.
