A Micro-study of Agricultural Entrepreneurship in Kalimpong a Small District in the Indian State of West Bengal

Agriculture is an important sector of India. It is indispensable for the sustenance and growth of the Indian Economy. On an average about 70% of the Indian households and 10% of the urban population are dependent on agriculture for their means of livelihood. This sector not only fulfils the food needs of the country but also generates employment opportunities and helps the economy to mint foreign currencies. It also succours other industries by supplying them the basic raw materials required for carrying out their production thereby maintaining the ecological balance too. After the ushering of liberisation, privatisation and globalization of the Indian economy in 1991this sector had no alternative but to be oriented in a commercial manner. The purpose of this paper is to view how the local people of Kalimpong, a small district in the Indian state of West Bengal is pursuing business with the help of their agriculture products. Here 33.4% of the local people are agriculturalist. They produce varieties of products such as fresh fruits, vegetables and food cereals. Some, even dwell on horticulture and livestock business. Agriculture is the back bone to most of the local people dwelling in Kalimpong.