Agriculture has been the main occupation for the bulk of its workforce in India. According to the 2001 census, the agricultural sector provides employment to about 65 per cent of the total working population. In the absence of corresponding increase in employment in the urban non-farm sector, there is surplus manpower available in the rural areas. In spite of his rate of agricultural growth, the agricultural sector has failed to generate additional employment opportunities. This has led to widespread unemployment and underemployment, increasing the intensity of poverty and indebtedness.