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Direction: Q. 1 to 5

Read the given case study and answer the questions.

Generating productive employment is central to sustained poverty reduction as the labour is the main asset for the majority of the poor. The relationship between poverty and employment operates through labour market, quality and quantity of employment. Rural households traditionally depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. It is now recognised that expansion of rural non-farm employment is important for improving the incomes of rural households.

Rural diversification is important for several reasons. At the economy level, the demographic pressures on land have been increasing significantly in India. With its share of 30 % in GDP, agriculture has to bear the burden of more than 60 % of workers. Therefore, labour productivity has been low in agriculture. Urban areas have their own problems of demographic pressures. As a result, the rural non-farm sector becomes an escape route for agricultural workers.

In order to increase wages in agriculture and to shift the workers to more productive areas, rural diversification is advocated. However diversification may not always benefit the poor and vulnerable sections. For example, diversification may affect the women as men shift to non-agricultural activities. Women tend to stay back in agriculture, which generally has low productivity.

The main reason for low productivity in Indian agriculture in the context of given passage is

A) disguised unemployment in agriculture

B) lack of adequate infrastructural facilities

C) lack of adequate funds

D) lack of support from the-government and private sector