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Introduction

Agriculture Revolutions refer to significant changes in farming practices that led to dramatic increases in food production i.e.- Green Revolution, Pink Revolution etc. India’s ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’ mantra encapsulates this, highlighting respect for soldiers, farmers, science, and research, as essential pillars for national progress and food security.

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Present day challenges being faced by the Indian agricultural sector

• Climate Change: For instance, in 2015, unexpected hailstorms severely damaged the Rabi crops across North India, leading to financial distress among the farming community. Such weather anomalies, along with shifting monsoon patterns, can significantly impact crop yields.
• Fragmented Landholdings: A significant portion of Indian farmers, over 86%, are small and marginal, with landholdings less than two hectares. It restricts the benefits of economies of scale and makes the implementation of modern farming techniques like mechanization challenging.
• Water Scarcity: The excessive and inefficient use of groundwater for irrigation has led to a sharp decline in groundwater levels. As around 29% of India’s groundwater blocks are semi-critical, critical, or over-exploited, which threatens the sustainability of agriculture (Central Ground Water Board).
• Post-Harvest Losses: India faces post-harvest losses estimated at over $14 billion annually due to the lack of proper storage facilities, inefficient cold chains, and minimal processing facilities. This is especially significant in the case of perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
• Access to Credit: Despite various schemes for institutional credit, around 40% of the total credit availed by farmers is still from informal sources. These lenders often charge exorbitant interest rates, pushing farmers into a vicious cycle of debt and poverty.
• Price Volatility: Volatility in the prices of agricultural commodities is a major issue. Eg: In 2016, surplus production of potatoes coupled with inadequate storage facilities led to a crash in prices in states like Uttar Pradesh, leaving farmers with significant financial losses.

The ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’ vision can potentially address these issues through

• Integrated Approach: It underscores the importance of synergy between the armed forces, farmers, scientists, and researchers in driving national progress. This integrated approach can allow for innovative solutions that bridge fields, like precision agriculture that blends technology and farming.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: The emphasis on science (Vigyan) and research (Anusandhan) can foster sustainable farming practices. For instance, Zero Budget Natural Farming, an agroecological practice being promoted in states like Andhra Pradesh rejuvenated soil health.
• Climate Resilient Crops: Scientific research can enable the development of climate-resilient crops. As an example, the ICAR has developed drought and flood-resistant varieties of rice, helping farmers combat climate change-induced yield variability.
• Infrastructure Development: Emphasis on research can lead to advanced solutions for storage and transport, like solar-powered cold storage or refrigerated transport, helping minimize post- harvest losses.
• Policy Formulation: Rigorous research can help design evidence-based policies. For instance, detailed studies of price volatility and its causes can aid in formulating effective agricultural market policies and regulatory frameworks.

Conclusion:

Going ahead, the ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’ vision can form a robust framework to tackle the various challenges facing the Indian agricultural sector. It holds the promise of fostering a resilient, sustainable, and profitable farming sector, crucial for India’s food security and economic growth.

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