Answer:

By 2047, Indian agriculture aims to achieve sustainable growth by enhancing productivity and ensuring environmental stability. With 45.76% of India’s workforce engaged in agriculture as per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) data, and a 14-15% contribution to GDP, it remains vital for food security and economic stability. Strategies include adopting sustainable farming practices and improving infrastructure to address climate change and resource constraints.

Challenges Faced by Indian Agriculture in its Journey Towards 2047:

• Climate Change and Environmental Degradation: Indian agriculture faces unpredictable and extreme weather patterns impacting crop yields and food security. Climate change exacerbates these issues, requiring urgent adaptation strategies.
  For instance: The average temperature over India has warmed around 0.7˚C during 1901-2018 affecting crop productivity and agricultural income.
• Water Scarcity and Irrigation Challenges: Agriculture in India is heavily reliant on monsoon rains, with 60% of cultivated areas depending on it. Water scarcity due to over-extraction and inefficient irrigation practices hinders sustainable agricultural growth.
  For instance: The Central Ground Water Board(2017) reported that about 256 districts in India have critical or over-exploited groundwater resources, impacting agricultural activities.
• Fragmented Land Holdings: The average size of land holdings in India is shrinking due to population growth and inheritance laws, leading to reduced economies of scale and challenges in mechanisation and modern agricultural practices.
  For instance: The Agricultural Census 2015-16 highlights that 86.1% of farmers in India are small and marginal, with landholdings of less than 2 hectares.
• Inadequate Infrastructure and Market Access: Poor infrastructure, including storage facilities, cold chains, and transportation, leads to significant post-harvest losses and limits farmers’ access to markets, reducing their income potential.
  For instance: India’s post-harvest losses amount to approximately ₹1,52,790 crore annually, according to a Ministry of Food Processing Industries 2022 study. 
• Lack of Technological Adoption and Extension Services: Farmers have limited access to modern agricultural technologies and effective extension services, hindering productivity and sustainability.

The Effectiveness of Current Government Initiatives:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Aimed at improving water use efficiency and expanding irrigation coverage, PMKSY has made progress but still faces challenges in implementation and reaching all farmers effectively.
  For example: As per the Ministry of Agriculture, PMKSY has extended irrigation to 78 lakh hectares, yet many regions still suffer from water scarcity due to implementation gaps.
• Soil Health Card Scheme: The scheme provides soil health cards to farmers for better nutrient management, but adoption rates and impact on crop yields have been inconsistent due to lack of follow-up and support.
  For example: Over 23 crore soil health cards have been distributed, but a NITI Aayog report indicates that only 11% of farmers have adopted recommended practices.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): This crop insurance scheme aims to protect farmers from losses due to adverse weather but faces challenges like delayed claim settlements and inadequate coverage.
  For example: PMFBY has settled claims worth over ₹1.45 lakh crore, yet NABARD reports highlight delays in payouts affecting farmer confidence.
• National Agriculture Market (eNAM): eNAM seeks to integrate markets for better price realisation but is limited by inadequate digital infrastructure and low farmer participation in some regions.
  For example: eNAM has integrated 1,361 mandis by 2023, but only 5% of India’s total agricultural produce is traded through this platform, as per Ministry of Agriculture data.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme: KCC aims to provide timely credit to farmers for their needs but faces challenges like high-interest rates, stringent eligibility criteria, and inadequate reach among marginal farmers.
  For example: Over 3 crore Kisan Credit Cards have been issued, yet only 50% of small and marginal farmers have access to formal credit, according to RBI data.

Measures for Sustainable Agricultural Growth:

• Promotion of Climate-Resilient Farming Practices: Developing drought-resistant and flood-tolerant crop varieties through research and innovation can help mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture.
  For example: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed over 300 climate-resilient crop varieties, such as DRR Dhan 42 (drought-resistant rice variety) while Pusa 1121 (heat-tolerant basmati rice variety).
• Enhancing Water Management and Irrigation Efficiency: Expanding micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation and promoting rainwater harvesting can reduce water wastage and improve water use efficiency.
  For example: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana promotes micro-irrigation, which has reduced water use by 50-60% in states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Strengthening Rural Infrastructure and Market Access: Investing in rural infrastructure, such as roads, storage facilities, and cold chains, can reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ access to markets.
  For example: The Grameen Agricultural Markets Scheme (GrAMs) aims to improve the infrastructure and civic facilities in Gramin Haats across the country to enhance market access and reduce transaction costs.
• Promoting Organic and Sustainable Farming Practices: Encouraging organic farming, agroforestry, and integrated pest management can enhance soil health, reduce chemical usage, and promote sustainability.
  For example: The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) supports organic farming, with over 7 lakh hectares certified organic as per Ministry of Agriculture data.
• Boosting Agricultural Research and Extension Services: Strengthening agricultural research and extension services can disseminate knowledge, innovations, and best practices among farmers, enhancing productivity and sustainability.
  For instance: The National Agricultural Research System (NARS), led by ICAR, has over 100 research institutions dedicated to developing innovative agricultural technologies.

By 2047, India’s agricultural landscape can transform through sustainable practices, technological advancements, and robust policies. Addressing challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and market access will be critical. With effective implementation of current initiatives and innovative measures, India can achieve food security, boost farmer incomes, and ensure sustainable growth, positioning itself as a global leader in agriculture.

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