PREFACE

 Agriculture holds the key to prosperity. Despite the decline in the share of agriculture to about one-fourth of GDP, nearly two-thirds of our population still depends on this sector for their livelihood. Considering the importance of this sector, the Directorate of Economics & Statistics has been bringing out, inter-alia, the annual publication "Agricultural Statistics At A Glance" since 1986 which serves as a handy compendium for the data on almost all aspects of Indian Agriculture. The content and scope of this compendium are kept under continuous review to make it more suitable to the needs of the present time. The present issue contains the latest available data on various facets of agriculture and allied sectors.

                    The detailed work involved in the preparation of this issue has been accomplished by Agriculture Statistics Division of this Directorate under the guidance of Shri S. Maitra, Deputy Statistical Adviser and Shri Ajay Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director.

                    Constructive suggestions to improve the utility of this publication will be highly appreciated.

(M.M.Nampoothiry)

Economic & Statistical Adviser

 New Delhi

August, 2003