The Road to 2047 for Indian Agriculture Sector

‘2047’ is not just a number but India’s centennial year of independence. It is the year we aim for our country to achieve developed status. However, this goal is not easily attainable, as it requires a significant increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI) to approximately six times the current level. This necessitates a comprehensive development approach, particularly in agriculture, which cannot be ignored.

Suggestions to improve Indian Agriculture Sector

• Adopting Sustainable Practices: Transforming Indian agriculture hinges on adopting sustainable practices that ensure long-term productivity and environmental health, benefiting both current and future generations. For example:
  • Precision Farming: Precision Agriculture (PA) is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring, and responding to the varying needs and conditions of crops in the field. For instance, if a field is deficient in nitrogen, nitrogen fertiliser will be applied accordingly. This practice is tailored to the specific conditions of the field.
  • Genetically Modified Crops: These crops are designed to be more disease-resistant and produce higher yields.
  • Advanced Irrigation Techniques: Techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems are leading this transformation. These efficient systems help in reducing water wastage.
    • For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has covered 78 lakh hectares, promoting water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation. The scheme’s ₹93,068 crore allocation for 2021-26 underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable water management.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Associated Challenges 

• Climate Change as a Challenge: Climate change and environmental stress pose significant threats to agriculture. The sector is highly vulnerable, with issues like land degradation and erratic weather patterns exacerbating productivity concerns and food security.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, provides financial assistance for crop losses. With 49.5 crore farmers enrolled and claims totaling over ₹1.45 lakh crore, this scheme is a cornerstone of agricultural risk management and has significantly aided farmers.
• Market Access Issues: Farmers face challenges with fragmented market structures, leading to lower price realisation and limited market opportunities for small and marginal farmers. To address this initiatives like the Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) has been launched in 2016 to integrate markets and improve access. In fact by September 2023, 1,361 mandis had been integrated, benefiting 1.76 million farmers and recording trade worth ₹2.88 lakh crore. 
• Disparity in GDP Contribution: Despite agriculture engaging nearly 46% of the workforce, its contribution to GDP is about 18%, highlighting a stark imbalance. If current growth trends continue, this disparity will worsen. This indicates that merely maintaining the current growth trajectory will not suffice.

• Population Growth and Food Demand: According to United Nations projections, India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 and 1.59 billion by 2040, driving up food demand. This highlights the need for strategic planning to address this challenge.

Other important projections

• The expenditure elasticity of food indicates a 2.85% annual increase in food demand, driven by a population growth rate of 0.85%. 
• India’s real per capita income increased by 41% from 2011-12 to 2021-22 and is projected to accelerate further. However, the expenditure elasticity post-2023 is anticipated to be lower, correlating a 5% rise in per capita expenditure to a 2% growth in demand. 
• The anticipated food demand will vary among commodities, with meat demand growing by 5.42% and rice demand by a mere 0.34%.

This growing demand and increase in per capita income necessitate significant adjustments in food production and distribution.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Initiatives by Government

• Farmer Support Programs: Several initiatives have been rolled out to bolster farmer prosperity and sustainable agricultural growth.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched in 2019, disburses ₹6,000 annually to farmers in three instalments. This scheme has already benefited over 11.8 crore farmers, offering much-needed financial support. 
  • Another critical initiative, the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, aims to optimise soil nutrient use, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. Over 23 crore SHCs have been distributed, providing farmers with crucial insights into soil health and nutrient management.
• International Year of Millets (2023): The government championed this initiative to promote nutritious coarse grains, both domestically and internationally.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: This fund, with a ₹1 lakh crore financing facility, supports the development and modernization of post-harvest management infrastructure. Within three years, over 38,326 projects have been sanctioned, mobilising ₹30,030 crore in the agricultural infrastructure sector. These projects have created employment for more than 5.8 lakh individuals and improved farmer incomes by 20%-25% through better price realisation.
• Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) Initiative: This initiative aims to ensure transparent property ownership in rural areas. As of September 2023, over 1.6 crore property cards have been generated, enhancing land security and facilitating credit access for farmers. This initiative helps reduce disputes over land ownership.

Government Plan Ahead

• The current projections by the government indicate that the total demand for food grains in 2047-48 will range from 402 million tonnes to 437 million tonnes and the production is anticipated to exceed demand by 10%-13%. 
• However, to achieve this sustainably, significant enhancements are necessary. Steps such as substantial investments in agricultural research, infrastructure, and policy support are required. 
• The Budget for 2024-25, with an allocation of ₹20 lakh crore for targeted agricultural credit and the launch of the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, highlights the government’s proactive approach to fostering agricultural innovation and growth.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Conclusion

The road to 2047 presents Indian agriculture with significant challenges and opportunities. To achieve developed status, India must focus on sustainable practices, technological advancements, and robust policies. By addressing these areas, India can boost farmer incomes, meet rising food demands, and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth, setting the stage for a prosperous agricultural sector and national development by its centennial year.

DOWNLOAD PDF