This is particularly true for the agricultural sector where climate is a direct input into
production. While the salience of this sector in India has declined over the years, it still
remains important in the socio-economic fabric of the country. Though agriculture alone
(other than forestry and fisheries) accounts for only about 15% of GDP, it employs 55% of
the workforce [ref]. Moreover, according to the 2011 census 69% of the population remains
rural and intimately connected to this sector. There are also important forward and backward
linkages to agriculture from the rest of the economy
Both these facts have significant implications for the Indian economy in terms of the impact
of climate change and also its regional incidence