THE CONTEXT: India’s agricultural sector has undergone significant transformations over the past several decades, moving from a state of food deficiency to one of food surplus. Despite these advancements, the country faces persistent challenges that affect agricultural productivity and food security.
THE ISSUES:
- High Proportion of Small and Marginal Farmers: India has 93.09 million agricultural households, with approximately 82% being small and marginal farmers holding less than two hectares of land. The small size of landholdings limits farmers’ ability to adopt modern agricultural techniques and technologies, reducing productivity and income.
- Natural Resource Degradation: Over 60% of India’s agriculture depends on groundwater, leading to rapidly depleting water tables. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers has led to soil acidification and loss of soil fertility.
- Climate Change Risks: Climate change could reduce agricultural productivity by up to 9% in the coming decades. Changing climates can lead to new pests and diseases that farmers are ill-equipped to handle. Climate-induced production volatility threatens the stability of food supply chains.
- Lack of Market Access and Infrastructure: India loses about 10-15% of its produce due to inadequate storage and transportation facilities. Farmers often receive only 25-30% of consumers’ final price.
- Technological Barriers and Low Adoption Rates: Only about 40% of farming activities in India are mechanized, compared to over 90% in developed countries. Lack of access to real-time market and weather information hampers decision-making.
- Post-Harvest Management and Food Waste: Approximately 40% of the fruits and vegetables produced in India are lost between the farm and the consumer. India lacks sufficient cold storage facilities, with over 10 million tonnes of deficit.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Empowering Small and Marginal Farmers: The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Program has empowered over 100 million rural poor, particularly women, by providing access to credit. The Amul Dairy Cooperative model in Gujarat showcases how collective action can increase bargaining power and better incomes for small producers. Strengthen agricultural extension services to educate farmers about modern farming techniques and sustainable practices.
- Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Encourage micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems to enhance water-use efficiency. In Andhra Pradesh, adopting drip irrigation in sugarcane cultivation increased water-use efficiency by 40% and yield by 20%. Implement the Soil Health Card Scheme, providing farmers with soil nutrient status and recommendations.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Use of drought-resistant seed varieties, zero-tillage farming, and agroforestry. Implement the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to provide financial support to farmers in case of crop failure due to climatic events. Develop robust weather forecasting and early warning systems to help farmers make informed decisions.
- Enhancing Market Access and Infrastructure: The Grameen Bhandaran Yojana supports the construction of rural godowns; over 34,000 storage facilities have been created. Expand the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to connect farmers directly with buyers across India. Promote Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to aggregate produce, access better markets, and negotiate fair prices.
- Technological Adoption and Innovation: Provide subsidies and custom hiring centers for agricultural machinery accessible to small farmers. Leverage technologies like AI, IoT, and mobile apps for precision farming. Invest in agricultural research to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient crop varieties.
- Reducing Post-Harvest Losses and Food Waste: Develop integrated cold chain and processing facilities. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, the government-sanctioned 298 cold chain projects. Amend laws to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce across states.
THE CONCLUSION:
India can achieve a resilient and equitable agricultural system by empowering farmers, promoting sustainable practices, enhancing market access, and focusing on nutritional security. Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of strategies will be crucial for sustainable progress.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? 2021
Q.2 What is the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? 2021
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Analyze the challenges small and marginal farmers face in India. What measures can be implemented to improve their productivity and livelihoods?
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