Passage: One of the dismal realities of the agricultural sector in independent India has been that it never experienced a high-gr…

Question

Passage: One of the dismal realities of the agricultural sector in independent India has been that it never experienced a high-growth phase, unlike the non-agricultural economy. The highest decadal growth (compound annual growth rate or CAGR) for agriculture has been just 3.5% in the 1980s. Also, after experiencing a spurt in decadal growth during the 1980s, agricultural growth suffered relative stagnation thereafter. This is in sharp contrast to non-agricultural growth, which consistently increased from the 1980s to 2000s.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the corollary to the above passage?

1. A. The benefit of economic reforms percolates down more slowly to the agriculture sector than in other sectors of the economy. (Correct answer)
2. B. For India, the green revolution was not as useful as it was expected to be.
3. C. India lagged behind other countries in adapting mechanized and modern farming.
4. D. Rural-to-urban migration resulted in the stagnant agriculture sector.

Correct Answer

Option A — The benefit of economic reforms percolates down more slowly to the agriculture sector than in other sectors of the economy.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is The benefit of economic reforms percolates down more slowly to the agriculture sector than in other sectors of the economy..

Key Points

• The passage says agriculture never experienced a high-growth phase unlike non-agriculture, which grew consistently from 1980s onward.
• The corollary is that economic reforms benefited non-agriculture far more and faster than agriculture — Option A. The passage does not discuss green revolution (B), mechanisation (C), or migration (D).