The article critiques India’s agricultural sector, highlighting the paradox of a large workforce contributing minimally to GDP. It emphasizes the need for a shift from subsidies to investment-driven growth for long-term sustainability.
Key Statistics
- Workforce Contribution: 46.1% of the workforce in agriculture contributes only 17.7% to GDP.
- Budget Allocation: FY26 budget proposes a 4% increase, totaling ₹1.49 trillion.
Advancements in Indian Agriculture
- Irrigation Infrastructure
- 55% of net sown area is irrigated.
- Initiatives like PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana focus on micro-irrigation.
- Atal Bhujal Yojana promotes groundwater conservation.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Adoption of practices to enhance resilience against climate change.
- National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) promotes adaptive techniques.
- Agri-Tech Growth
- Incorporation of AI, IoT, and blockchain in farming practices.
- Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture integrates services for farmers.
- e-NAM connects 1.78 crore farmers to markets.
- Financial Inclusion
- Increased Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limits to ₹5 lakh.
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) covers 4 crore farmers against risks.
- Diversification and Sustainability
- Shift towards high-value crops, organic farming, and agroforestry.
- Policies to promote pulses and oilseeds to reduce import dependence.
Challenges Hindering Productivity
- Land Fragmentation
- Small landholdings (86.1% under 2 hectares) reduce economies of scale.
- Monsoon Dependence
- 45% of farmland relies on monsoons, making it vulnerable to erratic weather.
- Soil Degradation
- Intensive farming practices have led to nutrient depletion and land degradation.
- Low R&D Investment
- Less than 0.5% of agricultural GDP is spent on research and development.
- Market Inefficiencies
- Farmers receive only 30-40% of the consumer price due to middlemen and poor logistics.
Recommendations to Enhance Productivity
- Land Consolidation
- Promote cooperative farming and land pooling for better resource utilization.
- Expand Irrigation
- Scale up micro-irrigation and watershed development initiatives.
- Strengthen R&D
- Increase investment in biotech and climate-resilient farming practices.
- Revamp Agricultural Marketing
- Integrate e-NAM with direct-to-consumer models to improve price realization.
- Promote Sustainable Practices
- Encourage organic farming and link carbon credit markets to sustainable agriculture.
Way Forward
- To unlock the full potential of Indian agriculture, focus on sustainable practices, technological advancements, and policy reforms is crucial.
- Enhancing private sector involvement and improving agricultural marketing are essential for ensuring food security and higher farmer incomes.