Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Indian economy and society, employing roughly half of the country's workforce. Thanks to diverse climatic conditions, India is capable of growing a vast array of crops. It is the world's largest producer of milk, pulses, and jute, and ranks as the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnut, vegetables, fruit, and cotton.
The sector was transformed in the 1960s by the Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding seed varieties and modern fertilizers, saving the country from famine. Today, agriculture is undergoing a new transition, facing challenges like water scarcity and climate change. As a result, there is a growing movement toward sustainable practices, mechanization, micro-irrigation, and organic farming—most notably in states like Sikkim, which is entirely organic.