India has a population of around 1.3 billion people. The agriculture and food sector in India accounts for 18-20% of gross national income.
It employs around 53% of the country’s working population, and agricultural and food trade generates up to 10% of national exports. Agricultural production focuses on the following food crops: rice, maize, wheat, banana, and potato.
35-47% of the food energy consumed in India comes from crops that are not native to the region. Most of these plants’ diversity is found elsewhere on the planet.
India signed the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in 2002, joining 142 other contracting parties in commitment to the global system. Additionally, India contributed USD 456,391 to the Crop Trust Endowment Fund.
Photo Credit: ICRISAT