Over 11% decline registered in people engaged in agriculture

The number of people employed in agriculture sector have declined from about 261 million in 2009-10 to 231 million as of 2011-12, highlighted the ASSOCHAM study.The number of people dependent upon agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood has come down from over 60 per cent to 49 per cent during the last decade i.e. between 1999-2000 and 2011-12, signaling a prominent shift in the rural job profile with significant reduction in proportion of workers engaged in agriculture and an increase in secondary and tertiary sectors, self-employment and in regular work, according to a recently concluded ASSOCHAM study. “The number of people employed in secondary and tertiary sectors have grown significantly from about 16 per cent and 23.5 per cent in 1999-00 to about 24 per cent and 27 per cent respectively as of 2011-12,” according to a study titled ‘Structural Shift in Rural Employment’ conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).