The role of the non-agricultural subsector
•The non-agricultural subsector of India’s rural sector also occupies an important place in India’s economy as a source of income and employment opportunities, particularly for the landless.
•This sector has the second largest share of employment after agriculture. It touches the lives of the weaker and unorganized sections of the society, with more than half of those employed being women, minorities and the marginalized.
•The micro and small enterprises (MSEs) account for 32% of the workforce and 29% of the value added in non-agricultural private unincorporated enterprises.
•The rural non-farm sector has been increasing at a faster rate than the agricultural subsector in the recent past.