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Introduction

India has transformed from food scarcity in the 1960s to a global agricultural powerhouse, achieving record food grain production of 353.96 million tonnes(mt) in 2024–25, 40% higher than in 2014–15. While this success disproves the Malthusian famine theory, achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 goals amidst population growth and urbanisation requires overcoming structural challenges in agriculture such as climate risks, shrinking land, and water stress.

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Significance of Green Revolution in India 

• Boost in Foodgrain Production: The Green Revolution increased foodgrain production from 74 mt in 1966–67 to 130 mt by 1979–80, leading to food self-sufficiency.
• Diversification to Allied Sectors: The White and Blue Revolutions significantly boosted milk (from 20 mt (1970) to 239 mt(2024-25) ) and fish production (from 2.4 mt(1980) to 19.5 mt(2024-25)), strengthening food and income security.
  Eg: Egg production surged from 10 billion to 143 billion, while poultry meat rose to 5 million tonnes.
• Horticulture Growth: Horticulture production grew from 40 mt in the 1960s to 334 mt in 2024–25, showing India’s success in high-value crops.
  Eg: Annual increases of 7.5 mt now outpace cereals.
• Technological Advancement: The development of stress-tolerant varieties and resilient practices has stabilised crop output.
  Eg: Research by ICAR shows returns of ₹13.85 per ₹1 spent on agricultural R&D.

Key Challenges in Agriculture to Achieve Viksit Bharat 2047

• Climate Change and Crop Vulnerability: Erratic weather, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns threaten yield stability and farmer incomes.
  Eg: Despite stress-tolerant crop varieties, climate shocks still jeopardise sustainability and rural livelihoods.
• Shrinking Agricultural Land and Land Fragmentation: Urbanisation and industrialisation are reducing arable land from 180 mha to 176 mha, shrinking average landholdings to 0.6 ha.
  Eg: Smaller holdings reduce economies of scale, mechanisation feasibility, and productivity.
• Water Stress and Unsustainable Irrigation: Overexploitation of groundwater and water-intensive cropping threaten long-term sustainability.
  Eg: India exports 20 mt of water-intensive rice annually, risking groundwater depletion.
• Overdependence on Cereals and Import Reliance: Stable cereal demand contrasts with rising demand for pulses and oilseeds, yet India heavily imports these.
  Eg: Despite 12 mha of rice-fallow land available for pulses/oilseeds, yield gaps (18–40% in oilseeds, 31–37% in pulses) remain unaddressed.
• Low Agricultural R&D Investment: R&D remains underfunded at just ₹11,600 crore (0.5% of agri-GDP), limiting innovation and climate-resilient technologies.
• Nutritional and Market Shifts: India’s demand is shifting towards high-value fruits, vegetables, dairy, and poultry, but policy and infrastructure lag.
• Knowledge and Extension Gaps: Many farmers lack access to scientific knowledge and best practices due to weak extension systems.
  Eg: The Viksit Krishi Sankakp Abhiyan (VKSA campaign) has so far reached 1.35 crore farmers, showing the scale needed for impact.

Key Strategies to Overcome Challenges

• Crop Diversification and Efficient Planning: Shift focus from rice-wheat dominance to water-efficient, high-value crops like pulses and oilseeds.
  Eg: Government mission-mode programmes promote improved seeds for pulses, oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds, and cotton to reduce import dependence.
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture Practices: Adopt stress-tolerant crop varieties, sustainable practices, and integrated resource management.
  Eg: Stable production during climate shocks reflects the impact of resilient farming practices already adopted.
• Irrigation and Water Resource Management: Boost micro-irrigation, watershed development, and optimise water use via Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
  Eg: PMKSY promotes “Per Drop More Crop”, aiming to reduce water-intensive agriculture and promote efficient irrigation.
• Expand Use of Fallows and Bridge Yield Gaps: Utilise 12 mha of rice-fallow land and close yield gaps with tech-based interventions.
• Increase R&D and Tech Adoption: Double investment in agricultural research and leverage AI, data analytics, and real-time decision tools.
  Eg: Modern tools are transforming agri-research globally; India plans to scale R&D funding beyond current ₹11,600 crore.
• Strengthen Extension and Farmer-Scientist Interface: Enhance the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and use the One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team model for state coordination.
  Eg: 1 Re spent on Agri extension services gives around Rs 7 in return (ICAR).
• Leverage Allied Sectors for Income Growth: Boost dairy, poultry, and fisheries to enhance income and nutrition security.
  

Conclusion

India’s agricultural transformation from 74 mt in 1966–67 to 353.96 mt in 2024–25 showcases the success of reforms, technology, and policy. Yet, to realise Viksit Bharat 2047, the sector must address climate risks, water scarcity, shrinking land, and nutrition transition through realigned strategies, innovation, and inclusive policies. A resilient, diversified, and technology-driven agriculture is the cornerstone of a developed India.

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