INTRODUCTION 

Agriculture remains the most important sector of the Indian economy, whether it be the preindependence or the post-independence periods. This fact is emphatically proved by the large number of people who depend on it for their livelihood .The history of Agriculture in India dates back to Indus Valley Civilization. India ranks second worldwide in farm outputs. As per 2018, agriculture employed more than 50% of the Indian work force and contributed 17–18% to country's GDP. In 2016, agriculture and allied sectors like animal husbandry, forestry and fisheries accounted for 15.4% of the GDP (gross domestic product) with about 41.49% of the workforce in 2020. India ranks first in the world with highest net cropped area followed by US and China. The economic contribution of agriculture to India's GDP is steadily declining with the country's broad-based economic growth. Still, agriculture is demographically the broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall socio-economic fabric of India.
The total agriculture commodities export was US $3.50 billion in March - June 2020. India exported $38 billion worth of agricultural products in 2013, making it the seventh largest agricultural exporter worldwide and the sixth largest net exporter. Most of its agriculture exports serve developing and least developed nations. Indian agricultural/horticultural and processed foods are exported to more than 120 countries, primarily to the Japan, Southeast Asia, SAARC countries, the European Union and the United States. 

Definition of farmer 

The Indian government does not have a fixed definition for a 'farmer'. Various government estimates (Census, Agricultural Census, National Sample Survey assessments, Periodic Labour Force Surveys) give a different number of farmers in the country ranging from 37 million to 118 million as per the different definitions. Some definitions take in to account the number of holdings as compared to the number of farmers. Other definitions take into account possession of land, while others try to delink land ownership from the definition of a farmer. Other terms also used include 'cultivator'.
India's National Policy for Farmers 2007 defines farmer as:
For the purpose of this Policy, the term “FARMER” will refer to a person actively engaged in the economic and/or livelihood activity of growing crops and producing other primary agricultural commodities and will include all agricultural operational holders, cultivators, agricultural labourers, sharecroppers, tenants, poultry and livestock rearers, fishers, beekeepers, gardeners, pastoralists, non-corporate planters and planting labourers, as well as persons engaged in various farmingrelated occupations such as sericulture, vermiculture, and agro-forestry. The term will also include tribal families / persons engaged in shifting cultivation and in the collection, use and sale of timber and non-timber forest produce. 

Special Features of Agriculture Sector in the Indian Economy 

(i) From the monetary point of view the share of the agriculture sector in the economy remains at 16.5 per cent of the GDP. In the fiscal 1950–51 agriculture accounted for 55.4 per cent of the GDP. 
(ii) The share of agriculture has been falling in the country’s gross income, while industrial and services sectors’ shares have been on a rise constantly. But from the livelihood point of view still 48.7 per cent of the people of India depend on the agriculture sector. This makes it a more important sector than the industry and the services (for Nepal and Tanzania the dependency for livelihood on agriculture is still higher at 93 per cent and 81
per cent, respectively). It means that around 49 per cent of the population lives with only 16.5 per cent of the total income of the Indian economy—this fact clearly substantiates the reason why the people who depend on agriculture are poor. In the developed economies such as the USA, France, Norway, the UK and Japan, agriculture contributes only 2 per cent of their GDP with only 2 per cent of the people dependent on this sector for their livelihood.
(iii) Agriculture is not only the biggest sector of the economy, but also the biggest private sector too. It is the only profession which still carries no burden of individual income tax.
(iv) This is the biggest unorganised sector of the economy accounting for more than 90 per cent share in the total unorganised labour-force (93.4 per cent of the total labour force of the economy, i.e., 40.0 crores is employed in the unorganised sector).
(v) India occupies a leading position in global agricultural trade having a share of 2.15 per cent in the world agricultural trade—the USA, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nepal and Bangladesh as major export destinations. What is noteworthy is that since the economic reforms began, India has remained consistently a ‘net exporter’ of agri-products (in 2018-19, value of exports being ?2.7 lakh crore against import of ?1.37 lakh crore).
(vi) According to the export figures, agriculture is deeply related to industrial growth and the national income in India—1 per cent increase in the agricultural growth leads to 0.5 per cent increase in industrial output (growth) and 0.7 per cent increase in the national income of India.
(vii) The industrial sector was selected as the ‘prime moving force’ of the economy in the late 1940s. But due to market failure the sector failed to lead the economy after independence. Without increasing the income of the people who depend on agriculture for their livelihood, the market was not going to support the industries. As a result, the Government of India announced agriculture as the prime moving force of the economy in 2002.

(viii) With 1 per cent increase in the share of agriculture in India’s total exports, the money which flows into agriculture is calculated to be ?8,500 crores.
(ix) A total of 66.1 per cent of the cropped area in the country still depends on the uncertainties of monsoon for their irrigational requirements meanwhile attention is being given on enhancing water productivity and irrigation efficiency .
(x) Foodgrain production is estimated to reach a record level of 291.95 million tonnes (MT) in 2019-20 (it was 285.21 MT in 2018-19). The country is headed for a record production of several crops such as—rice (117.5 MT), wheat (106.2 MT), nutri cereals (45.24 MT) in the year. Indian Agriculture and Allied Industries Industry Report  (June, 2021) Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India's population. Gross Value Added by agriculture, forestry, and fishing was estimated at Rs. 19.48 lakh crore (US$ 276.37 billion) in FY20. Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population. Gross Value Added by agriculture, forestry, and fishing was estimated at Rs. 19.48 lakh crore (US$ 276.37 billion) in FY20. Share of agriculture and allied sectors in gross value added (GVA) of India at current prices stood at 17.8 % in FY20. Consumer spending in India will return to growth in 2021 post the pandemic-led contraction, expanding by as much as 6.6%. The Indian food industry is poised for huge growth, increasing its contribution to world food trade every year due to its immense potential for value addition, particularly within the food processing industry. Indian food and grocery market is the world’s sixth largest, with retail contributing 70% of the sales. The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32% of the country’s total food market, one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth. Principal agricultural commodities export for April 2020 - January 2021 was US$ 32.12 billion.

Market Size 

The Economic Survey of India 2020-21 report stated that in FY20, the total food grain production in the country was recorded at 296.65 million tonnes—up by 11.44 million tonnes compared with 285.21 million tonnes in FY19. The government has set a target to buy 42.74 million tonnes from the central pool in FY21; this is 10% more than the quantity purchased in FY20. For FY22, the government has set a record target for farmers to raise food grain production by 2% with 307.31 million tonnes of food grains. In FY21, production was recorded at 303.34 million tonnes against a target of 301 million tonnes. Production of horticulture crops in India was estimated at a record 326.6 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY20 as per third advance estimates, an increase of 5.81 million metric tonnes over FY20. India has the largest livestock population of around 535.78 million, which translates to around 31% of the world population. Milk production in the country is expected to increase to 208 MT in FY21 from 198 MT in FY20, registering a growth of 10% y-o-y. Area under horticulture is projected to rise by 2.7% in FY21. Sugar production in India reached 26.46 MT between October 2019 and May 2020 sugar season according to Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA). India is among the 15 leading exporters of agricultural products in the world. Agricultural export from India reached US$ 38.54 billion in FY19 and US$ 35.09 billion in FY20. The organic food segment in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% during 2015-­25 and is estimated to reach Rs. 75,000 crore (US$ 10.73 billion) by 2025 from Rs. 2,700 crore (US$ 386.32 million) in 2015.
The processed food market in India is expected to grow to Rs. 3,451,352.5 crore (US$ 470 billion) by 2025, from Rs. 1,931,288.7 crore (US$ 263 billion) in FY20 on the back of government initiatives such as planned infrastructure worth US$ 1 trillion and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna. The food processing industry employs about 1.77 million people. The sector allows 100% FDI under the automatic route. Between April 2020 and February 2021, the total value of processed food products exports was Rs. 43,798 crore (US$ 6.02 billion). India exported key processed food products such as pulses, processed vegetables, processed fruits and juices, groundnuts, guar gum, cereal preparations, milled products, alcoholic beverages and oil meals.

Importance of Agriculture Sector 

Though industry has been playing an important role in Indian economy, still the contribution of agriculture in the development of Indian economy cannot be denied.  This can be measured and gauged by the following facts and figures:

1. Agricultural influence on national income:

The contribution of agriculture during the first two decades towards the gross domestic product ranged between 48 and 60%. In the year 2001-2002, this contribution declined to only about 26%

2. Agriculture plays vital role in generating employment: 

In India at least two-thirds of the working population earn their living through agricultural works. In India other sectors have failed generate much of employment opportunity the growing working populations.

3. Agriculture makes provision for food for the ever increasing population:

Due to the excessive pressure of population labour surplus economies like India and rapid increase in the demand for food, food production increases at a fast rate. The existing levels of food consumption in these countries are very low and with a little increase in the capita income, the demand for food rise steeply (in other words it can be stated that the income elasticity of demand for food is very high in developing countries).
Therefore, unless agriculture is able to continuously increase it marketed surplus of food grains, a crisis is like to emerge. Many developing countries are passing through this phase and in a bid to ma the increasing food requirements agriculture has been developed.

4. Contribution to capital formation:

There is general agreement on the necessity capital formation. Since agriculture happens be the largest industry in developing country like India, it can and must play an important role in pushing up the rate of capital formation. If it fails to do so, the whole process economic development will suffer a setback. To extract surplus from agriculture the following policies are taken:
(i) Transfer of labour and capital from farm non-farm activities.
(ii) Taxation of agriculture should be in such a way that the burden on agriculture is greater than the government services provided to agriculture. Therefore, generation of surplus from agriculture will ultimately depend on increasing the agricultural productivity considerably.

5. Supply of raw material to agro-based industries:

Agriculture supplies raw materials to various agro-based industries like sugar, jute, cotton textile and vanaspati industries. Food processing industries are similarly dependent on agriculture. Therefore the development of these industries entirely is dependent on agriculture.

6. Market for industrial products:

Increase in rural purchasing power is very necessary for industrial development as two- thirds of Indian population live in villages. After green revolution the purchasing power of the large farmers increased due to their enhanced income and negligible tax burden.

7. Influence on internal and external trade and commerce:

Indian agriculture plays a vital role in internal and external trade of the country. Internal trade in food-grains and other agricultural products helps in the expansion of service sector.

8. Contribution in government budget:

Right from the First Five Year Plan agriculture is considered as the prime revenue collecting sector for the both central and state budgets. However, the governments earn huge revenue from agriculture and its allied activities like cattle rearing, animal husbandry, poultry farming, fishing etc. Indian railway along with the state transport system also earn a handsome revenue as freight charges for agricultural products, both-semi finished and finished ones.

9. Need of labour force:

A large number of skilled and unskilled labourers are required for the construction works and in other fields. This labour is supplied by Indian agriculture.

10. Greater competitive advantages:

Indian agriculture has a cost advantage in several agricultural commodities in the export sector because of low labour costs and self- sufficiency in input supply.

Branches of Agriculture 

Agronomy :

Branch of agriculture deal with the cultivation of crops, forage, food, fiber, oil-seeds, sugar, etc. The primary aim of this branch is to improve food production and cropping techniques. It is the most important branch among all branches of agriculture. It covers vast types of agricultural practices like permaculture, aquaponics, polyhouse farming, etc.
Branches of Agronomy
There are 2 branches of agronomy:

1. Weed Sciences

Study of vegetation growth and management in agriculture fields, natural zones, and in urban and residential areas.

2. Organic Farming

A method of growing plants and animals naturally is known as organic farming. This involves biological materials, and averting the use of synthetic substances, to sustain soil fertility and ecological stability, minimalizing waste and environmental pollution. Moreover, the growing of microgreens also comes under organic farming.

Horticulture :

Branch of agriculture which deal with the plant’s cultivation that is directly used by humans for food, medicine, and aesthetic purposing.
Branches of Horticulture
There are 7 branches of horticulture:

1. Pomology
Branch dealing with fruit cultivation is known as pomology.

2. Olericulture
Branch of horticulture dealing with vegetable cultivation such as beans, tomatoes, etc.

3. Floriculture
The branch of horticulture deals with flower cropping such as roses, carnations, etc, and gardening.

4. Arboriculture
Branch of horticulture deals with the assortment, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.

5. Landscaping
Branch of horticulture dealing with the production, presentation, and care of landscapes, flowers, and other plants.

6. Viticulture
Cultivation and retailing grapes are known as viticulture.

7. Oenology
Study of all the characteristics of wine plant and wine-making.

Plant Breeding and Genetics :

Branch of agriculture defined as the art and science of modifying the genetic structure and plant traits to obtain the desired characters. 

Seed Science :

The branch deal with the seed structure and growth habitats starting from fertilization, egg development, and growing into a new plant. Seed science is closely related to biochemistry, botany, genetics, and other biosciences.

Crop-Physiology :

Crop physiology is the study of the functions and responses of plants grown in different environments. It is one of the most basic fields of agriculture.

Plant Pathology :

Plant pathology deal with the causes of disease, instabilities in plants, and the treatment of plant diseases.

Plant Protection :

Plant protection is a branch of ??agriculture that aims to prevent damage from disease, insect-pests, and weeds.

Soil Science :

Among several branches of agriculture, soil science is of great significance because of its direct influence on plant growth and nutrient supply.
The study of soil as a natural body that is created by natural forces on the surface of the earth on which plants grow. The study of soil properties in relation to soil use and management, soil classification, formation, and mapping of the chemicals, physical, biological, and soil fertility properties, is known as soil science.

Branches of Soil Science :

Among other branches of agriculture, soil science is the most important because it is the primary source of nutrition for the plants. There are 10 branches of soil science:

1. Soil Chemistry
Study of chemical compositions, properties, and soil processes.

2. Soil Biology
It concerns organisms living on the earth, their biology, function, and activities e.g., nematodes and insects.

3. Soil Mineralogy
Branch focuses on primary and secondary soil-minerals and their soil contribution, to develop physical, and chemical structure of the soil. It also focuses on soil fertility and biology.

4. Soil Genesis and Classification (Pedology)
Soil formation is associated with rocks and minerals weathering, as well as with aspects and courses of soil formation. Soil classification is a division of soil into groups based on their properties.

5. Soil Physics
The mechanical behavior of the mass of the soil especially with water and soil energy.

6. Soil Fertility
It is about the capability of the soil to deliver plants with the essential nutrients for their growth and development.

7. Soil Salinity
Study of the excess of soluble-salts contained in the soil, their extraction, and soil treatment for agriculture.

8. Soil Survey
Soil science involves the systematic inspection of soils on-site and in the laboratory, their classification, interpretation, and mapping.

9. Soil Conservation
It is concerned with protecting the soil from physical destruction as a result of erosion (from water and wind) or chemical destruction. Thus, soil protection is associated with a mixture of all management and land-use approaches that protect the soil from destruction due to natural or anthropogenic factors.

10. Soil Microbiology
While dealing with several fields of agriculture, soil microbiology examines soil for microbial communities. It deals with their role and characteristics in soil fertility and land reclamation, and particular plant nutrition through rooting or diseases caused by phytopathogenic microbes in the soil.

Entomology :

Branch of agriculture that studies insects and pests that are important to agriculture. 

Branches of Entomology :

There are 13 branches of entomology:

1. Insect Ecology
The study of the relationship between insects and their environment. This section is devoted to the study and analysis of the ecosystem for the existence of insects. The goal is to protect insects from being removed or exterminated.

2. Insect Morphology
In this area of ??entomology, the body parts of insects and their functions are studied. This branch is mainly associated with the outer parts of the insect’s body.

3. Insect Pathology
This area of ??entomology studies diseases, and pathogens that can harm and affect the well-being of insects. To save beneficial insects, the scientist use pathogens or vectors to get free of certain harmful insect pests.

4. Insect Physiology
This deals with the numerous body function and behavior systems of an insect. This includes studying the various behaviors of insects in relation to the ecosystem.

5. Insect Toxicology
The study of how insecticides and other-chemicals affect the physiological functions of insects.

6. Insect Taxonomy
Insect taxonomy is a practice of insect naming. This is an ongoing process as several un-identified insects are still roaming planet Earth.

7. Industrial Entomology
The Entomology branch deals with the cultivation of insects for commercial or economic purposes. These include honey bees, bumblebees, butterflies, silkworms, etc. This branch is concerned with the benefits of humanity. On the other way, this also applies to the removal of harmful insects from houses such as cockroaches, termites, house flies, etc.

8. Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Insects harms not only human beings but also animals. It covers all aspects related to veterinary health and medicine such as malaria, dengue, etc.

9. Biological Control Entomology
The use of insects against harm-full insects. Use of friendly insects to take care of harmful insects known as biological control, e.g., wheat aphid ate by ladybird.

10. Post-Harvest Entomology
Branch concerned with the study and insect control that harm stored food such as rice, wheat, etc.

11. Forest Entomology
Study of the effects of insects’ on forest and forest-products and development of a solution to protect forest trees from extreme damages.

12. Forensic Entomology
Branch deals with the study of insects for legal purposes focus on the use of insects to clarify the place and time of human health.

13. Crop Protection Entomology
Studies ways to control insects before harming the field crops are known as crop-protection entomology, also “agricultural entomology”.

Agricultural Biotechnology :

Branch of agriculture which includes the application of scientific techniques and tools, involving vaccines, molecular markers, genetic engineering, and tissue culture, to alter the genome of living organisms to develop improved organisms e.g., crops and livestock.
In relation to several other fields of agriculture, currently, agricultural biotechnology is of major focus because of its genetic approach. Researchers believe that transgenic crops and animals could be a source to maintain a suitable food supply and fulfill global food needs.

Agriculture Engineering :

Works with agriculture machinery for preparation, sowing, harvesting, and post harvesting operations, counting water and soil protection technologies and bioenergy.

Branches of Agriculture Engineering :

There are 3 branches of agriculture engineering:

1. Agricultural Mechanization
The use of agricultural machinery to automate agricultural work, which significantly increases the productivity of agricultural workers and production efficiency, mechanization promotes large-scale production.

2. Farm Power and Machinery
Branch of agriculture in which the utilization and care of agricultural tools, machines, and structures are done.

3. Farm Structures
A building on a farm is used for agricultural purposes. especially large-scale farms used to accommodate farmer and their families or farm workers. Some of them can be utilized for growing crops, rearing live stock, etc.

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Agricultural Economics :

An applied economic field that studies human behavior with respect to the relation-ship between food and fiber production and distribution.

Branches of Agriculture Economics :

There are 7 fields of agriculture economics:

1. Agrarian System
Economic and technical factors affecting agronomic practices.

2. Agribusiness
Several businesses including agriculture product processing and farming, supply of seed, agrochemicals, equipment, marketing, and retail, etc. are all included in agribusiness.

3. Agricultural Extension
Formerly known as the implementation of the latest research and knowledge to agriculture practice through farmer trainings. The expansion area now includes a wider ranges of communications and training activities planned by professionals in various fields for the rural population, including agriculture, marketing, health-care, and business management.

4. Agricultural Marketing
Covers services related to the movement of agriculture products from farm to consumers, direct or indirect transfers.

5. Custom Harvesting
The business of collecting plants for others. Harvesting is done with other people’s harvester every year instead of buying their own. Custom harvesters usually have their own harvesters, and they work on the same farms every harvest season. Thanks to custom harvesting, farmers do not need to invest in expensive equipments while making the most of the machinery’s use for a low cost.

6. Economic Development
Sustained concentrated action by politicians and communities to improve living standards and economic health.

7. Rural Community Development
A set of approaches and activitiess aimed at improving the well-being and life of people living in rural areas. Improving rural activities will sustain population stability by lowering rural urban migration.

Forestry :

Forestry is engaged in the extensive cultivation/farming of perennial plants for the supply of rubber, timber, etc. as well as industrial raw-materials.

Branches of Forestry

There are 6 branches of forestry:

1. Agro-Forestry
Agroforestry is a science that deals with land-use management system for growing trees, shrubs, on or between crops.

2. Rangeland Management
Natural science focuses on the study of pastures and “the maintenance and sustainable supervision of drylands for the benefit of today’s society and future generations.

3. Wildlife Management
Studies to balance the wildlife with those needs of humans using the latest scientific evidence.

4. Analog Forestry
A system of planned managed forests that are primarily used in tropical or sub-tropical zones.

5. Forest Gardening
A low maintenance plant-based food and agro-forestry system grounded on forest eco-systems with fruits and nuts trees, shrub, grasses, vine, and perennial vegetables that benefit directly from the yield.

6. Forest Farming
Agro-forestry practices are categorized by 4 I’s – Intentional, Intensive, Integrated, and Interactive supervision of a prevailing forest ecosystem in which forest-health is supreme.

Animal Husbandry :

Branch of agriculture engaged in the agriculture exercise of breeding and rearing of livestock to provide people with food and energy (drafts) and crop manure.

Branches of Animal Husbandry

There are 9 branches of animal husbandry:

1. Dairy Farming
Human demand for milk is met by the dairy sector, which means the long term accessibility and production of milk, which is then treated to ultimately meet society’s milk needs.

2. Sericulture
A branch of agriculture that cultivates silk, which grows silkworms for silk production and commercial purpose, especially the Bombyx mori L. species.

3. Aquaculture (Fishery)
Branch engaged in fish farming and rearing, counting marine and in-land fish to provide food and manure.

4. Mariculture
A specialized aquaculture industry that includes the rearing of the marine organism for food and added products in the ocean, in closed areas, or in reservoirs filled with sea water.

5. Nematology
An essential branch that studies a noble diverse group of round worms known as nematodes, which are found in virtually all environments around the world.

6. Apiculture or Beekeeping
Beekeeping means raising and keeping colonies of honey bees, usually in artificial and natural hives, to obtain honey from bees and other bee goods.

7. Poultry
Poultry farming is also one of the branches that deal with birds that are bred to meet the food requirements for eggs, meat, and feathers.

8. Nomadic Pastoralism
Rearing of livestock during the phase of migration from region to region in pasture and clean water search.

9. Piggery
Concerned with the rearing and breeding of pigs for the live-stock needs.

Environmental Science :

Field that mixes biological, physical, and informational science in the study of the environment and solving ecological problems.

Branches of Environmental Sciences :

There are 2 branches of environmental sciences:

1. Energy & Environment
Branch deal with the potential of bio-energy as an economical engine for rural growth and a growing awareness of worldwide climatic change.

2. Agro-Meteorology
Agro-meteorology deal with studies of the environment’s physical conditions for the cultivation of plants or animals.

Food Science and Technology :

Among known fields of agriculture, food science and technology uses a variety of approaches to study the composition of food, processing, packaging, and selection of existing foods products.

Branches of Food Science and Technology :

There is one branch of food science and technology:

1. Food and Nutrition
Corporal and economical access to decent and cheap nutritious food is a primary function of the agriculture sector by supporting an increase in production, improving storage and post-harvest handling, and reducing transporting costs.

Land and Water Management :

The process of management and expansion of land-resources. Resources are mainly used for organic farming, water management, reforestation, and ecotourism projects.

Branches of Land and Water Management:

There are 2 branches of land and water management:

1. Soil and water conservation
This branch deal with reducing runoff through structures or land-use to reduce erosion.

2. Irrigation & Drainage
Irrigation and drainage, artificial land irrigation, or artificial excess-water removal from the land. As some areas need to be irrigated or drained already so can be used for agriculture.

Agricultural Chemistry :

Among branches of agriculture, this specific branch deals with chemistry, particularly organic and bio-chemistry, related to agriculture, production and the raw food processing into desired foods and drinks, and environment restoration.

Agricultural Microbiology :

Branch of agriculture deal with the part micro-biology that deals with microbes linked with diseases of plants and animals. Deal with the study of soil fertility restoring micro-biology e.g., microbial decomposition of organic matters and the conversion of nutrients in the soil.

Home Science :

A most interesting branch of agriculture deal with the best application and use of agriculture products in healthier means.

Cropping seasons of India- Kharif & Rabi 

The agricultural crop year in India is from July to June. The Indian cropping season is classified into two main seasons-(i) Kharif and (ii) Rabi based on the monsoon. The kharif cropping season is from July –October during the south-west monsoon and the Rabi cropping season is from October-March (winter). The crops grown between March and June are summer crops. Pakistan and Bangladesh are two other countries that are using the term ‘kharif’ and ‘rabi’ to describe about their cropping patterns. The terms ‘kharif’ and ‘rabi’ originate from Arabic language where Kharif means autumn and Rabi means spring.
The kharif crops include rice, maize, sorghum, pearl millet/bajra, finger millet/ragi (cereals), arhar (pulses), soyabean, groundnut (oilseeds), cotton etc. The rabi crops include wheat, barley, oats (cereals), chickpea/gram (pulses), linseed, mustard (oilseeds) etc.
In an agricultural year (July-June), the Directorate of Economics & Statistics (DES), Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture releases four Advance Estimates followed by Final Estimates of production of major agricultural crops of the country. First Advance Estimates, released in September when Kharif sowing is generally over, cover only Kharif crops. Second Advance Estimates are released in February next year when rabi sowing is also over. These estimates covering Kharif as well as rabi crops take into account firmed up figures on kharif area coverage along with available data on crop cutting experiments for yield assessment of Kharif crops and tentative figures on area coverage of rabi crops. Third Advance Estimates incorporating revised data on area coverage for rabi crops and better yield estimates of Kharif crops are released in April-May.

Fourth Advance Estimates are released in July-August and by this time fully firmed up data on area as well as yield of Kharif crops and rabi crops are expected to be available with the States. As such, Fourth Advance Estimates are considered to be almost as good as Final Estimates released in next February along with Second Advance Estimates for the subsequent agricultural year. In order to allow sufficient time to States to take into account even the delayed information while finalizing area and yield estimates of various crops, the Final Estimates are released about seven months after the Fourth Advance Estimates and no revision in the State level data is accepted after release of Final Estimates by DES.