The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The question pertains to the state of the Indian agricultural sector during the British colonial rule. This period was characterized by stagnation, low productivity, and structural deficiencies, despite the introduction of certain market-oriented changes.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The commercialisation of agriculture involved a shift from cultivating food crops for self-consumption to cultivating cash crops (such as cotton, jute, and indigo) for the market. While this integrated Indian agriculture with global markets, it did not improve the food security of farmers. Instead, it often forced them to buy food grains at higher market prices, and the profits from cash crops largely accrued to intermediaries and British trading houses rather than the cultivators.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Indian agriculture remained fundamentally dependent on the monsoon. The lack of permanent irrigation facilities meant that agricultural output was highly volatile. When rains failed, it directly aggravated the plight of farmers, leading to frequent famines and economic distress.
- Statement 3 is Correct. While the colonial administration invested significantly in railways and ports to facilitate trade, investment in agricultural infrastructure was minimal. Critical aspects such as flood-control measures, drainage systems, and the desalinization of soil remained largely neglected, contributing to the low aggregate yield of the sector.
Key Takeaway:
Under colonial rule, the agricultural sector suffered from stagnation due to the neglect of infrastructure (irrigation and drainage) and the forced commercialisation of crops, which compromised the food security of the farming community.