Since 1991, agricultural growth in India has decelerated due to several intertwined factors:

Investment Deficiency: Post-liberalization, focus shifted to industry and services, leading to inadequate investment in agricultural infrastructure and R&D.

Land Fragmentation: Subdivision of land into smaller, non-viable plots has impeded mechanization and economies of scale.

Water Scarcity: Over-extraction of groundwater and inadequate irrigation systems have resulted in severe water shortages, affecting crop productivity.

Soil Degradation: Intensive farming, excessive chemical use, and lack of crop rotation have degraded soil quality, leading to lower yields.

Market Access Issues: Poor rural infrastructure and storage facilities restrict farmers’ market access, causing significant post-harvest losses and reduced incomes.

Policy Inefficiencies: Reactive policies, insufficient support for crop diversification, and neglect of sustainable practices have hindered growth.

Climate Change: Increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, has disrupted agricultural cycles and reduced yields.

Credit and Insurance Gaps: Limited access to affordable credit and effective insurance leaves farmers financially vulnerable.

Addressing these challenges requires strategic investment, policy reforms, and adoption of sustainable practices to revitalize agricultural growth.