Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Gross Value Added (GVA) is a crucial metric that measures the contribution of an individual producer, industry, or sector to the economy.
Analyzing the sectoral share of agriculture helps in understanding economic growth patterns and structural shifts.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
According to official statistics and the Economic Survey of India, the share of the agriculture and allied sectors in the total GVA of India at current prices was approximately 17.8% during 2019-20.
This sector remains a major source of livelihood, employing a significant portion of the Indian workforce.
In subsequent years (such as 2020-21), this share temporarily increased to around 20% due to relatively stable agricultural performance during economic disruptions in industrial and service sectors.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The contribution of the agriculture sector to the total GVA at current prices for 2019-20 is 17.8%, matching Option (B).