Exploring the Dynamics of Development of Agriculture in India Worldwide

Agricultural development in India aims to increase farm production to meet rising population demands. It involves expanding cropped areas, crop diversity, irrigation, fertilizers, and mechanization.

Agriculture has developed at different places in different parts of the world. Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture where crops are grown on small holdings mostly for subsistence

Sowing Progress: The Evolution of Indian Agriculture from Independence to Green Revolution

• Pre-Independence Challenges: Indian agriculture was primarily subsistence-based before Independence and faced challenges like droughts and famines in the first half of the 20th century.
• Partition Impact: During partition, a significant portion of irrigated land went to Pakistan, reducing the proportion of irrigated land in Independent India.
• Post-Independence Agricultural Strategy: After Independence, the government focused on increasing foodgrain production by switching from cash crops to food crops, intensifying cropping on existing land, and bringing fallow land under cultivation.
• Challenges Amid Progress:  Strategy of  prioritizing foodgrain production, initially increased foodgrains production but stagnated in the late 1950s. 
  • To address this, Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) and Intensive Agricultural Area Programme (IAAP) were launched, but two consecutive mid-1960s droughts led to a food crisis.
• Green Revolution in India: The introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice, along with chemical fertilizers, in irrigated areas of specific states led to the Green Revolution. 
  • This helped India to achieve self sufficiency in foodgrain production.
  • However, the Green Revolution was initially limited to irrigated areas, creating regional disparities.
• Agro-Climatic Planning Initiatives: In the 1980s, efforts were made to address agriculture in rainfed areas through agro-climatic planning.
  • Agricultural Diversification: Government promoted development of dairy farming, poultry, horticulture, livestock rearing, and aquaculture.
• The policy of liberalization and a free-market economy in the 1990s influenced the direction of Indian agricultural development.

Harvesting Progress: Advancements in Agricultural Output and Technology in India

• Increase in Output and Yield: Over the last five decades, agricultural output and technology have improved significantly. 
  • Crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, oilseeds, and cotton have seen substantial production and yield growth.
• Role of Irrigation: The expansion of irrigation has been pivotal in enhancing agricultural output. 
  • It paved the way for modern agricultural practices, including the adoption of high-yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and farm machinery. 
  • The net irrigated area in the country has also expanded.
• Rapid Adoption of Technology: Modern agricultural technology has diffused rapidly across various regions of the country. 
  • The use of chemical fertilizers has increased 15-fold since the mid-1960s, contributing to enhanced agricultural productivity.

Nurturing Growth: Overcoming Challenges for Sustainable Development of Indian Agriculture

Indian agriculture is adversely affected by various issues impacting development of agriculture in India and livelihood of farmers. 

• Dependence on Erratic Monsoon: India’s agriculture heavily relies on monsoon rains, with only about 33% of cultivated land under irrigation. 
  • Poor monsoons and fluctuations in rainfall patterns in regions like Rajasthan result in both droughts and floods, impacting crop production.
• Low Productivity: Indian crop yields, including rice, wheat, cotton, and oilseeds, are lower compared to international standards, partly due to high population pressure on land resources. 
  • Rainfed areas, especially drylands, face low yields.
• Financial Constraints and Indebtedness: Modern agriculture requires expensive inputs, which small and marginal farmers often cannot afford.
  • As a result, many turn to credit from institutions and moneylenders, leading to indebtedness.

• Lack of Land Reforms: Unequal land distribution stemming from historical exploitation has persisted due to the ineffective implementation of land reforms, particularly in states with strong landlord lobbies. 
  • Among the three revenue systems operational during the British period, i.e., Mahalwari, Ryotwari, and Zamindari, the last one was most exploitative for the peasants.
• Small Farm Size and Fragmentation: India has a significant number of small and marginal farmers, and land holdings continue to shrink due to population pressure.
  • Land holdings are often fragmented, making them economically unviable.
• Limited Commercialization: A substantial number of farmers produce crops for self-consumption, particularly in rainfed areas. 
  • Commercialization and modernization are more prevalent in irrigated regions.
• Vast Underemployment: The agricultural sector in India experiences substantial underemployment, especially in unirrigated areas, leading to seasonal unemployment.
• Degradation of Cultivable Land: Faulty irrigation and agricultural practices have led to land degradation, particularly in irrigated areas. 
  • Issues like alkalization, salinization, waterlogging, and excessive chemical use have compromised soil fertility. 
  • Rainfed areas also face soil erosion and degradation due to human activities.

Tacking all these issues will surely contribute to development of agriculture in India.

Revitalizing Indian Agriculture through Technological and Institutional Reforms

To address the above problems comprehensively, various technological and Institutional measures has been initiated by the government. 

• Collectivization: Efforts were made to consolidate land holdings and foster cooperation among farmers.
• Abolition of Zamindari: The zamindari system was abolished to ensure equitable land distribution.
• Land Reforms: Land reform laws were enacted, though their implementation varied.
• Green Revolution: The Green Revolution, driven by technology adoption, aimed to boost agricultural productivity.
• White Revolution: The White Revolution, or Operation Flood, focused on dairy production and distribution.

• Comprehensive Land Development: In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development program was initiated, combining institutional and technical reforms.
• Crop Insurance: Crop insurance against natural disasters was introduced.
• Grameen Banks: Grameen banks and cooperative societies provided farmers with access to loans at lower interest rates.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC): The KCC scheme aimed to provide credit to farmers.
• Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) which aimed to offer insurance coverage to farmers.

• Weather Bulletins and Agricultural Programs: These  were introduced on radio and television for better dissemination of information. 
• Minimum Support Price (MSP): The government announced MSPs for important crops to protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen and ensure sustainable development of Agriculture in India.

Conclusion

• Primary activities like hunting , gathering, pastoralism, mining, and mainly agriculture play a crucial role in meeting the demands of a growing population. 
• As the majority of the population in the world is dependent on agriculture, the ongoing development of agriculture in India is essential for ensuring food security and fostering sustainable economic growth in both developing and developed regions.

Also Read: Diverse Types of Agriculture: Understanding Forms and Practices Worldwide