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The Road to 2047 for Indian Agriculture: A Comprehensive Vision
Context:
As India approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047, the vision for transforming its agricultural sector is critical to achieving the broader goal of becoming a developed nation.
Goals of Indian Agriculture by 2047:
- Economic Growth: A six-fold increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI) to align with the developed nation status.
- Trade Expansion: Increase the export of agricultural and processed food products, focusing on high-value and nutritious food items.
- Sustainable Practices: Emphasise sustainable agricultural practices like precision farming, use of genetically modified crops, and advanced irrigation systems.
Key Initiatives Supporting Agricultural Transformation:
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Improved water efficiency through micro-irrigation, covering 78 lakh hectares with a ₹93,068 crore budget for 2021-26.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Financial protection against crop losses, covering 49.5 crore farmers, with ₹1.45 lakh crore in claims settled.
- Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM): Integrated 1,361 mandis by September 2023, improving market access for 1.76 million farmers with trades worth ₹2.88 lakh crore.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Direct financial support to over 11.8 crore farmers with ₹6,000 annually.
- Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme: Over 23 crore soil health cards distributed to optimise soil nutrient use and improve productivity.
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: ₹1 lakh crore fund supporting 38,326 projects, enhancing post-harvest management and creating over 5.8 lakh jobs.
- Promotion of Millets: 2023’s International Year of Millets campaign boosted the production and consumption of nutritious coarse grains.
Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture:
- Employment vs. GDP Contribution: While agriculture employs 46% of the workforce, it only contributes 18% to GDP, indicating low productivity.
- Climate Impact: Unseasonal rains and climate variability pose significant risks, affecting crop yields and economic stability.
- Water Scarcity: Over-extraction and inefficient irrigation practices are leading to severe water scarcity.
- Fragmented Land Holdings: Small, fragmented landholdings limit the adoption of modern agricultural practices and technologies.
- Low R&D Investment: Inadequate funding for agricultural research hampers innovation and the development of advanced farming techniques.
- Market Access: Poor infrastructure and connectivity reduce farmers’ access to competitive markets, impacting profitability.
Strategic Plan for 2047:
- Invest in R&D: Boost public and private sector investments in agricultural research, focusing on biotechnology, precision farming, and climate-resilient crops.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Encourage organic farming, integrated pest management, and conservation agriculture to maintain soil health and reduce chemical use.
- Irrigation Infrastructure: Expand efficient irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems to conserve water and enhance crop yields.
- Credit and Financial Services Access: Improve financial inclusion for small and marginal farmers, offering easier access to loans, crop insurance, and financial literacy programs.
- Market Infrastructure: Develop robust infrastructure, including storage facilities and cold chains, to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market access.
- Land Consolidation: Promote cooperative farming and land consolidation to overcome the challenges of fragmented land holdings, enabling economies of scale.
- Crop Diversification and Value Addition: Encourage the cultivation of high-value crops and invest in agro-processing industries to boost income and employment.
- Climate Adaptation: Implement climate-smart agriculture practices, promote drought-resistant crops, and improve early warning systems to mitigate climate risks.
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Key Recommendations of Ashok Dalwai Committee
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