The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Agriculture is a primary economic activity that employs a significant portion of the population in developing nations, whereas developed nations typically have a lower dependency on this sector. The distribution of the workforce in agriculture highlights the economic structure of a region.
1. Statement 1 is Correct:
Approximately 50 per cent of the world's population is engaged in agricultural activity. While recent global economic data may show a decline in this percentage due to industrialization, in the context of the static syllabus, this statement is accepted as factually correct.
2. Statement 2 is Incorrect:
India is an agrarian economy. Historically, about two-thirds of India's population was dependent on agriculture. Even according to recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, the workforce engaged in agriculture is approximately 45–46%. The figure is significantly higher than "ten per cent," which is typical only for highly industrialized nations.
Key Takeaway:
A vast majority of the Indian workforce depends on agriculture for livelihood, unlike developed economies where the agricultural workforce is minimal (often less than 10%).