Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
UPSC consistently focuses on the agricultural sector's role in India's economy, food security, and rural development. Understanding the complexities of international agricultural trade, its impact on farmers, and policy responses is crucial.
Agriculture in India is a foundational sector, providing livelihood to over half the population and ensuring national food security, making its protection in international trade agreements a political and economic necessity. The sector faces unique challenges due to fragmented landholdings, monsoon dependence, and thin margins, which influence India's stance on market access in agricultural trade.