Why Agriculture is Key to Building Viksit Bharat

India’s ambition to become a Developed Nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 is intrinsically linked to the strength and resilience of its agricultural sector. 

• Agriculture is not merely a means of livelihood for a significant portion of the population; it is a foundational pillar for economic growth, food security, and rural prosperity. 

Status of Agricultural In India

• Indian agriculture has gone from stagnation and food insecurity before the 1960s to large surpluses today, disproving the Malthusian belief that population growth would outstrip food production. 
• In 1967, William and Paul Paddock predicted a famine in India, claiming it couldn’t feed its growing population and controversially argued against food aid, fearing it would worsen future starvation.
• The Green Revolution, driven by high-yielding rice and wheat varieties, agrochemicals, and irrigation, proved the Paddocks wrong by boosting India’s foodgrain production from 74 mt in 1966-67 to 130 mt by 1979-80. 
• Annual gains peaked at 8.1 mt (2014–2025). Horticulture also surged from 40 mt in the 1960s to 334 mt in 2024-25, with recent annual increases of 7.5 mt. 
• Crop production has also become more stable due to advances made in developing stress-tolerant varieties and the adoption of resilient farming practices.
• This led to a remarkable surge in food production: from 74 million tonnes in 1966-67 to 130 million tonnes by 1979-80. This was followed by other successes:
  • Horticulture: Production soared from 40 million tonnes in the 1960s to 334 million tonnes in 2024, increasing by approximately 7.5 million tonnes annually.
  • White Revolution: Milk production dramatically increased from 20 million tonnes in 1970 to 239 million tonnes in 2023-24, making India the world’s largest milk producer.
  • Blue Revolution: Fisheries production grew from 0.2-0.4 million tonnes in 1970 to 19.5 million tonnes, establishing India as the second-largest seafood producer and exporter globally after China.
  • Poultry Sector: Egg production rose from 10 billion to 143 billion, and chicken meat production increased from 113,000 tonnes to 5 million tonnes.
    • This growth has been driven by advancements in technology, improved breeding, resource management, and skill development in the agricultural sector. 
    • It has significantly improved nutrition and boosted farmer incomes.
• Government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, PM Kisan Scheme, National Livestock Mission, and Blue Revolution Scheme have further supported this progress.

Challenges In the Agriculture Sector

• Demographic Shifts: The population is projected to reach 160 crore, with half residing in urban areas. 
  • This will triple the demand for high-valued foods like fruits, vegetables, and animal products, while the demand for cereals like rice will remain relatively stable.
• Land Constraints: Agricultural land is projected to decrease from 180 million hectares to 176 million hectares due to infrastructure development. 
  • Average landholdings will shrink further to 0.6 hectares, making mechanisation difficult.
• Climate Change: Extreme heat, unseasonal rains, and droughts pose significant threats, despite the sector’s increasing resilience.
• Unsustainable Practices: India currently exports 20 million tonnes of water-intensive rice annually, effectively exporting precious groundwater, while importing water-efficient crops like edible oils and pulses. This unsustainable pattern must change.
• Yield Gaps: Significant yield gaps exist in crucial crops. For example, oilseeds production could increase by 18-40% and pulses by 21-37% through improved practices.
• Underutilised Land: Approximately 12 million hectares of land, where nothing grows after the rice harvest, remain underutilised and could be used for other crops.

Measures To ensure agriculture’s pivotal role in Viksit Bharat

• Shift Cropping Patterns: Promote the cultivation of water-efficient crops like pulses and oilseeds, aligning with national water security goals.
• Optimise Land Use: Actively utilise the 12 million hectares of fallow land after rice cultivation for other crops.
• Enhance Farmer Knowledge and Practices: Initiatives like the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, which connects farmers directly with scientists, must be scaled up to disseminate new farming techniques.
• Invest Heavily in Research and Development (R&D): Increased focus on developing high-yielding seeds for oilseeds, pulses, and cotton is critical.
  • Agricultural research offers extraordinary returns: every ₹1 invested in R&D yields ₹13.85, and every ₹1 spent on extension services yields ₹7.40. 
  • This highlights the immense potential of R&D to boost productivity, reduce costs, and mitigate risks for farmers.

Conclusion

By addressing existing challenges through strategic policy shifts, technological adoption, and substantial investment in research and extension, India can ensure food security, enhance rural livelihoods, and lay a strong foundation for a prosperous and developed nation.