Sept. 6, 2024
Transforming Indian Agriculture
Context:
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, due to his proven track record and deep understanding of agricultural and rural development hasbeen appointed to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) and the Ministry of Rural Development in the newly formed government.
Significance of Agriculture in India
Contribution to GDP: The current contribution of agriculture to India's GDP is around 18-19%
Employment: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), about 45.76% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied sector during 2022-23.
Food Security: India is largely self-sufficient in staple food production, particularly rice and wheat.
• India is the world’s largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices, and has the world’s largest cattle herd (buffaloes), as well as the largest area under wheat, rice and cotton.
• India is the second largest producer of rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, farmed fish, sheep & goat meat, fruit, vegetables and tea.
Government initiatives like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and food subsidy programs rely on agricultural production to ensure affordable food access to all citizens.
Land Use: The agricultural land is little more than 50 % of the total geographical area in the country.
Foreign Exchange: In 2022-23, the agricultural exports from India stood at US$ 52.50 billion.
Socio -Cultural and Environmental Sustainability:Agriculture is deeply intertwined with India’s cultural heritage and social fabric. It shapes rural traditions, festivals, and community life, playing a vital role in preserving cultural identity and rural cohesion.
Sustainable agriculture practices are crucial for preserving natural resources such as soil fertility, water, and biodiversity. Traditional farming methods and modern techniques aim to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term sustainability.
Key Challenges Related to the Farm Sector in India
Small Land Holdings: As per India’s Agriculture Census 2015-16, 86.1 percent of Indian farmers are small and marginal (SMF) i.e., have a landholding size smaller than 2 hectares.
Economic Hardships: Low Income and limited availability of affordable credit restricts their ability to invest in modern farming equipment, quality seeds, and fertilizers, thereby hampering their productivity.
Soil Degradation & Water Scarcity: Around 90 Percent of India's groundwater is used for agriculture, over extraction of water reduces soil fertility, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and ultimately, a decline in agricultural productivity.
Inadequate agricultural infrastructure: Insufficient storage and cold chain facilities, inadequate rural roads and limited access to markets contribute to post-harvest losses.
Out-dated farming Practices and underinvestment in Agricultural Research: underinvestment hampers the adoption of innovative and efficient farming practices.
Climate Change & Natural Disasters: Unpredictable weather patterns, climate change, and natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts pose significant challenges to India’s agriculture industry
Steps Ahead to Reform the Farm Sector in India
Holistic Agricultural Approach and value chain development:Take agriculture as a comprehensive food system encompassing production, marketing, and consumption,Improve access to credit and inputs. Strengthen farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives for collective bargaining.
Access to Technologies and Markets: Increase expenditure on agricultural research and development (R&D) and extension services to at least 1% of agri-GDP, up from the current level of less than 0.5%.
Inclusive Growth and Social Security: Implement comprehensive crop insurance schemes and income support programs. Assure procurement of crops at minimum support prices (MSP) to stabilize farm incomes.
Creating Climate Resilient Agriculture: Increased investmentin seeds that are heat and flood-resistant, and more investment in water resources not just in augmenting their supplies but also ensuring water is being used more wisely.
Conclusion
Embracing policy reforms that create a favorable environment for agricultural growth will enable India to unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector, making it a cornerstone of national development. This transformation will secure sustainable livelihoods for millions of farmers, enhance food security, foster inclusive growth, and establish India as a global leader in agricultural innovation and sustainability.