Upto 60% Off on UPSC Online Courses

Avail Now

Agriculture in India: Definition, Farming System & Green Revolution

 

Agriculture in India: Definition, Farming System & Green Revolution 

Agriculture is a vital part of India’s economy, providing livelihoods to millions. Key inputs in farming include seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems. The Green Revolution significantly boosted crop production using high-yield varieties and modern techniques. Similarly, the Blue Revolution aimed to enhance fish production. Agricultural markets, like APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) markets, and government schemes support farmers in selling their produce and improving productivity.

AGRICULTURE IN INDIA 

INTRODUCTION
  • Agriculture in India is the primary activity.  
  • It includes raising of crops, animal husbandry, agroforestry and pisciculture.
  • Agriculture in India is a State subject.
  • The United Nations’ Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
 

TARGETS

  • Doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022 (Ashok Dalwai Committee)
  • Agriculture export policy: increase the agriculture export to over US$ 60 billion by 2022.
 

 

 

RANKING OF INDIA

  • Third largest consumer of edible oil; Top States: Gujarat (Groundnut), UP (Mustard), MP (Soyabean).
  • Fourth largest oilseed-producing country.
  • Second largest fish producer in the world in 2018-19; Inland Source >> Marine Source.
  • First in milk production since 1998; 20 % of world milk production.
  • Largest bovine population in the world. 
 

 

 

 

AGRICULTURE CENSUS

 

  • Census is conducted by Department of Agriculture in India, Cooperation and farmers welfare
  • Conducted at intervals of every 5 years.
  • Collect data on structural aspects of farm holdings. “Operational Holding” is a basic statistical unit of data collection.
  • Operational Holding: All land which is used wholly or partly for agricultural production and is operated as one technical unit by one person alone or with others without regard to the title, legal form, size or location.
  • First Census in 1970-71; Last Census (10th Census) was conducted in 2015-16.
  • It found out that the percentage of female operational holdings in the country has increased from about 13% percent during 2010-11 to around 14% during 2015-16.

 

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course   

Terminologies related to cropping in Agriculture in India: 

Cropping Intensity: Number of crops cultivated in a piece of land per annum is the cropping intensity  in Agriculture in India. 
Cropping Pattern: The cropping pattern depends on a farm and its interactions with farm resources, other farm enterprises, and available technology which determine their makeup.
Multiple Cropping: Growing more than two crops in a piece of land in a year in orderly succession in Agriculture in India. 
Inter Cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously with distinct row arrangement on the same field at same time.

 

Agriculture In India: Exploration Of Farming System 

Wetland Farming: Soils flooded or irrigated through lake, pond, or canal and land is always in submerged condition in Agriculture in India.
Dry Land Farming: The practice of crop production entirely depending upon rainfall and the moisture conserved in the soil.
Rain Fed Farming: Crop production in Agriculture in India, particularly in areas where rainfall is, more than 750mm (i.e assured rainfall areas).
Mixed Farming: System of farming on a particular farm which includes crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, beekeeping etc.

       

Agricultural Progress: An In-Depth Exploration of Key Inputs in Agriculture In India 

Physical Factors Relief + Climate + Soil
Institutional Factors Land Holding + Land Tenure + Land Reforms
Infrastructural Factors Irrigation + Power + Transport + Credit + Marketing + Insurance + Storage
Technological Factors Seeds + Fertiliser + Insecticide + Farm Machinery
Other Factors Government Policy + Extension Services + Education + Skilling
  • Land: Agriculture in India is a purely land based activity.
    • Size and quality of land has a direct bearing on agriculture productivity and farmers’ income.
    • Land ownership also serves as a social value & security against credit.
  • Land Holding: Average landholding size of households shrank marginally to 1.1 hectare in 2015-16 from 1.16 hectare in 2012-13.
    • 86.21% of India’s cultivated farmland is held by small and marginal farmers with less than 2 hectare of land;
    • While those with 10 hectare and more account for just 0.57%. 

Transforming the Agricultural in India Landscape: A Overview of Land Reforms in India

Objectives:
  • Removing institutional discrepancies of the agrarian structure in Agriculture in India. 
  • Issues of socio-economic inequality in Agriculture in India.
  • Increasing agricultural production is necessary to solve the inter-related problems of poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity.
 

First Generation Land Reforms

  • Abolition of intermediaries
  • Tenancy reforms
  • Redistribution of land
  • Cooperative farming
  • Consolidation of land.
Second Generation Land Reforms

(Focused on marketing)

  • Land records modernization
  • Appropriate land compensation
  • Land leasing
  • Contract farming- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.
  • Consolidation of land holdings
  • FDI in sector of agriculture in India – At present, 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) is allowed through the automatic route into India for the following agricultural activities:
    • Floriculture, horticulture, apiculture and cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms under controlled conditions
    • Development and production of seeds and planting material
    • Animal husbandry (including breeding of dogs), fish farming, aquaculture, under controlled conditions
    • Services related to agriculture in India and its allied sectors
  • Use of land banks (Odisha) and land Pooling

   

Agriculture in India: Exploring Irrigation Strategies for Sustainable Growth

  • While Agriculture in India accounts for more than 17% of the world population, we have barely 4% of the world’s water resources.
  • Irrigation water productivity in Agriculture in India is defined as the ratio of the crop output to the irrigation water applied.
  • To produce 1 kg of rice, Indian farmers use 3,000-5,000 liters of water, whereas Chinese farmers manage it within 350 liters of water.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Minor Irrigation Schemes Up To 2000 hectares Cultivable Command Areas.
Medium Irrigation Schemes 2000 hectare < Cultivable Command Areas < 10,000 hectares.
Major Irrigation Schemes Cultivable command Areas > 10000 hectares.

   

Understanding Agriculture in India: A Closer Look at Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (2015)

  • Overview: Launched in 2015-16 to enhance water access and irrigation, improve water use efficiency, and promote sustainable water conservation.
    Umbrella scheme with two major components:

    • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
  • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): Provides partial financial assistance for major/medium irrigation projects.
    • Focus on the 99 priority projects identified in 2016-17.
    • 53 projects were completed; an additional 7 projects were included from 2021-22.
  • Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP): Consists of four sub-components: Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, and Ground Water (GW) Development.
  • Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM): Started in 1974-75 to bridge the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized.
    • Enhances irrigation use efficiency and agricultural production through participatory irrigation management (PIM).
    • Includes micro-irrigation and underground pipeline network (UGPN) initiatives.
  • Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI): Financial assistance for schemes with less than 2,000 hectares of irrigation potential.
    • Extended to special category states and specific regions like DPAP, Tribal, DDP, flood-prone areas, and KBK region of Odisha.
  • Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies: Initially launched in 2005 for 1098 water bodies.
    • Extended as a state sector scheme with both external assistance and domestic support.
    • Became part of PMKSY (HKKP) for continued support.
  • Other Components:
    • Watershed Development Component (WDC): Implemented by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
    • Per Drop More Crop (PDMC): Initially part of PMKSY (2016-21), now implemented separately by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW).

 

 

Growth: Understanding Fertilizers and Plant Nutrients in Agriculture in India 

FERTILIZER FACTS

  • Second largest consumer of urea after china.
  • Second in the production of Nitrogenous fertilizer.
  • One of eight core industries.
  • The second-biggest subsidy after food.
  • Potash is met through imports.
  • Ideal Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium (NPK) ratio in soil: 4:2:1, for India it’s 8:3:1.
UREA NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY (NBS)
  • Not included in the NBA.
  • Source of nitrogenous fertilizer.
  • Urea Subsidy is a part of Central Sector Scheme which includes freight subsidy for movement of urea across the country.
  • Diversion of urea to plywood and animal feed makers, smuggled to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal – Neem coated urea is one of the solutions.
  • Urea overuse is detrimental to the fiscal health of the economy, proving detrimental to the soil health of the country .
  • The Scheme was initiated in the year 2010.
  • Being implemented by the Department of Fertilizers.
  • Envisage linking subsidy to nutrient composition (N, P, K & S) rather than products.
  • Aim was to discourage farmers from applying too much urea containing only nitrogen and increase the consumption of P&K fertilizers which will result in balanced fertilization.
  • Applicable to 22 fertilizers (other than Urea) in Agriculture in India.

   

Greening Agriculture in India: The Role of Neem Coated Urea 

  • Neem coated Urea
  • Slow release of nitrogen into the soil
  • Improved Plant absorption of Nitrogen from Urea in Agriculture in India.
  • Reduced Pesticide Consumption
  • Improved Yields

   

Empowering Agriculture In India: Insights into Finance and Credit

  • Priority Sector Lending: sectors in Agriculture in India include Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Credit, Education, Housing, Social Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, etc.
    • All scheduled commercial banks and foreign banks (with a sizable presence in India) in Agriculture in India are required to set aside 40% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANDC) for lending to these sectors.
    • Regional rural banks, co-operative banks and small finance banks have to allocate 75% of ANBC (Adjusted Net Bank Credit) to PSL.
  • MSP Policy: The Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy guarantees farmers a fixed price for their crops, ensuring financial stability and reducing the risk of losses.
    • This assurance helps farmers secure loans and credit from banks, as they have a reliable source of income. Consequently, MSP aids in better financial planning and investment in farming activities.
  • Institutions: Cooperatives, NABARD, RRB’s
    • Cooperatives help farmers by providing easy access to credit and collective buying power for inputs.
    • NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) offers financial assistance and development programs to improve agricultural productivity.
    • Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) provide banking services and affordable loans tailored to the needs of rural farmers.
  • Kisan Credit Card Scheme: This scheme provides farmers with easy access to short-term credit for purchasing inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
    • It offers flexible repayment options and helps reduce the dependency on high-interest loans from informal sources.
    • This scheme ensures timely financial support, enhancing agricultural productivity and income stability
  • PM-KISAN: The PM-KISAN scheme provides direct financial support to farmers with regular cash transfers.
    • This additional income helps farmers manage their expenses and invest in farming activities.
    • It also improves their creditworthiness, making it easier to obtain loans.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Seeds of Growth: Exploring Agriculture in India

  • Quality seeds are essential in Agriculture in India to increase yield; during the Green Revolution – HYV (High Yielding Variety) Seeds are used.
  • Seed Village Agriculture In India: A village wherein trained group of fanners are involved in production of seeds of various crops; cater to the needs of themselves and to the neighboring villages.
  • India’s Seed Bank: India has established its own seed storage facility at Chang Lain Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Note: Svalbard Global Seed Vault is the world’s largest seed storage facility situated in Norway.
  • Recently, in Agriculture in India, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has finalized the draft Seed Bill 2019, which is under Parliament’s consideration.
  • The Bill aims to regulate the quality of seeds sold and facilitate the production and supply of these seeds to farmers.
  • Breeder Seed: Progeny of nucleus seed of a variety and is produced by the originating breeder or by a sponsored breeder.
    Breeder seed production is the mandate of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • Foundation Seed: Progeny of breeder seed is required to be produced from breeder seed or from foundation seed which can be clearly traced to breeder seed.
    • The responsibility for agriculture productivity of foundation seed has been entrusted to the NSC, SFCI, State Seeds Corporation, State Departments of Agriculture and private seed producers.
    • Foundation seed is required to meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards, both at the field and laboratory testing.
  • Certified Seed: Progeny of foundation seed and must meet the standards of seed certification prescribed in the Indian Minimum Seeds Certification Standards, 1988.
    • Its production shall be so handled as to maintain specific genetic identity and purity
    • Certified seed may be the progeny of certified seed, provided this reproduction does not exceed three generations beyond foundation seed stage-I.
  • Hybrid seed and Labeled Seed
    • Hybrid Seed: Hybrid (certified) seed is the first generation resulting from the cross of two approved inbred lines, one of which is male sterile.
    • Labeled Seed: The seed notified under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, such seed sold in the market, has to be labeled.

 

Agriculture in India: Growth Through Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) or Seed Replacement Ratio In Agriculture In India 

  • Seed Replacement Rate: Measures how much of the total cropped area was sown with certified seeds in comparison to farm saved seeds.
  • Higher the Seed Replacement Ratio, higher is production as well as productivity.
  • Agriculture in India suffers from a dismal seed Replacement Ratio.
Soil Health Card
  • Printed report card; given to all farmers at an interval of 2 years; implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in India and Farmers welfare.
  • The cost of sampling, testing and reporting is borne by the Central Government.
  • It provides two sets of fertilizer recommendations for six crops including recommendations of organic manures and recommendations for additional crops on demand in agriculture in India.
  • Soil samples are tested with respect to 12 parameters:
    • Macro Nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K);
    • Secondary Nutrient: Sulphur (S); Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B);
    • Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B);
  • Physical Parameters: pH, EC (electrical conductivity), OC (organic carbon).

   

DISTRIBUTION OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES – AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

  • One of the critical aspects of Agriculture in India is the Supply of food grains and distribution of essential commodities to the poor through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) at subsidized prices.
Public Distribution System:
  • Integrated Management of Public Distribution System-nation-wide portability of ration card holders under the National Food Security Act,2013 (NFSA), through the ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ system.
One Nation, One Ration Card Initiative:
  • It involves making a standard format for ration cards.
  • Enable beneficiaries of National Food Security Act (NFSA) to purchase subsidized food grains from any fair price shop in these states.
  • Ration card holders buy food grains anywhere in the country.
Food Corporation Of India
  • Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the nodal agency under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution for the procurement, storage and movement of food grains, public distribution and maintenance of buffer stocks.
  • It procures food grains:
    • At minimum support price (MSP).
    • On an open-ended basis.
  • Procurement is also done by State Government Agencies and private rice millers on behalf of the FCI.
  • The food grains are also disposed of by FCI and State Governments through sale under Open Market Sales Scheme.
Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (NWR)
  • NWRs are issued by registered warehouses to enable Farmers to get loans from banks against NWRs. This way NWRs become a prime tool of trade.
  • They are regulated by the Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA).
  • It allows transfer of ownership of the commodity stored in a warehouse without having to deliver the physical commodity. These receipts are issued in negotiable form, making them eligible as collateral for loans.
  • NWR avoids distress sale of agricultural produce + Allow transfer of ownership of that commodity without having to deliver the physical commodity + Enhance banks’ interest in lending in respect of farm goods + Can increase liquidity in the rural areas + Encourage scientific warehousing of goods.
  • E Negotiable Warehousing Receipts was launched in 2017.
  • Farmers will not have to worry about losing the receipt.
  • This will also stop farmers from taking multiple bank loans on a single receipt.

   

FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA: A PILLAR OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

Agriculture in India: Understanding Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC)

  • APMC’s are established by the States; Aim: to eliminate the incidence of exploitation of the farmers by the intermediaries; food produce must be brought to the market; sales are made through auction.
  • As per APMC Act, the sale/purchase of agricultural commodities is carried out in a specified market area; producer-dealers or traders pay the requisite market fee, user charges, levies and commissions for the commission agents (arhats); These charges were levied irrespective of whether the sale took place inside APMC premises or outside it; the charges varies widely across states and commodities.

Agriculture in India: Simplifying Trade through E-NAM

  • It was launched in 2016.
  • It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for farm produce which aims to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities by integrating existing APMC markets.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Agriculture in India: Understanding Minimum Support Prices (MSP)

  • Minimum price set by the Government to protect farmers from the price volatility of agricultural commodities.
  • Recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (Headed by PM), this involves determining the minimum support prices.
  • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is the Nodal Agency.
  • As per Commission for Agricultural Cost and Prices (CACP)- there are three types of production costs:
A2: Actual paid-out cost.
A2+FL: Actual paid-out cost plus the imputed value of family labour.
C2: Comprehensive cost, including imputed rent and interest on owned land and capital.

   

  • CACP considers both (A2+FL) and C2 costs while recommending MSPs.
  • However, C2 costs are used by CACP primarily as benchmark reference costs (opportunity costs) to see if the MSPs recommended by them at least cover these costs in some of the major producing States.
MSP is declared on:

 

  • Cereals (7) – Paddy, Wheat, Barley, Jowar, Bajra, Maise and Ragi
  • Pulses (5) – Gram, Arhar/ Tur, Moong, Urad and Lentil
  • Oilseeds (8) – Groundnut, Rapeseed/Mustard, Toria, Soyabean, Sunflower seed, Sesamum, Safflower seed and Niger seed
  • Copra
  • De-husked coconut
  • Raw cotton
  • Raw jute
  • Sugarcane (Fair and remunerative price)
  • Virginia flu cured (VFC) tobacco.

 

Agriculture in India: Understanding the Role of COSTS AND PRICES (CACP)

  • The CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Farmers and Agriculture Welfare, formed in 1965. It is a statutory body.
  • It is mandated to recommend Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) to incentivize the cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall grain production.
  • CACP submits separate reports recommending prices for Kharif and Rabi seasons.
  • Currently, the Commission comprises a Chairman, Member Secretary, one Member (Official) and two Members (Non-Official).
  • The non-official members are representatives of the farming community and usually have an active association with the farming community.

Exploring Agriculture in India and SUGARCANE PRICING

  • Price of sugarcane is fixed by the center/State, while the price of sugar is market determined.
  • This dual pricing system aims to balance the interests of both farmers and market dynamics.
  • Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP): The minimum price at which rate sugarcane is to be purchased by sugar mills from farmers; fixed by Union government based on recommendations of CACP; Governed by the statutory provisions of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
  • Based on the Rangarajan Committee report of reorganizing the sugarcane industry; alternative to MSP in Sugar Industry; Assures margins to farmers, irrespective of whether sugar mills generate a profit or not.
  • Besides FRP, some states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, UP and TN announce a State Advised Price, which is generally higher than the FRP.

Highlighting Price Gaps in Agriculture in India: The Deficiency Payment Approach

  • Price Deficiency Payment System to address the gaps in Minimum Support Price (MSP) based procurement of crops.
  • Farmers are proposed to be compensated for the difference between the government announced MSPs for select crops and their actual market prices, a crucial aspect of agriculture in India.
  • It will reduce the need for the government to procure food crops, transport and store them and then dispose of them under PDS.
  • PM-AASHA also has a component of Price Deficiency Payment scheme.
  • Similar state schemes are Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojna (BBY) of Haryana, Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY) by Madhya Pradesh.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Exploring Agriculture in India: Operation Green

  • Outlay of 500 crore; to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs), Agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management; a scheme for integrated development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain.
  • Objectives: Enhancing value realization + Price stabilization + Reduction in post-harvest losses + Increase in food processing capacities and value addition + Setting up of a market intelligence network.

The Price Stabilization Fund of 2014 in Agriculture in India

  • PSF is a Central Sector Scheme = 100% funded by the Union.
  • Nodal → Govt gives Interest free loans to FCI, NAFED & other central/state agencies to procure pulses and perishable vegetables from local and foreign farmers and sell it to common man at reasonable prices.
  • 2014 – set up in the agriculture in India ministry but 2016- shifted to the Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Global Trade: Agriculture in India Export Zones (2001)

  • It was established through EXIM policy 1997-2001.
  • It was established for the purpose of developing and sourcing the raw materials, their processing, and packaging in Agriculture in India.

Agriculture  in India and Income Support: A Approach for Sustainable Growth 

Agriculture in India: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):

  • PM KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme.
  • Income support of Rs 6000 per year in three equal installments.
  • Available to all farmers irrespective of their farm size.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer in beneficiary bank accounts, thus, eliminating middlemen and corruption.
  • It is the first universal basic income type of scheme targeted towards farmers. The scheme aims to provide income support to farmers for easing their liquidity needs to facilitate timely access to inputs.
  • Benefits:
    • Easing Liquidity Constraints.
    • Aids the Modernisation Process.
    • Non-Discriminatory in Nature.
    • Enabling the Digitisation of Land Records.
    • Similar scheme in States:
SCHEME AREA ASSISTANCE
Ryat Bandhu Telangana 5000 per acre per season (Rabi and Kharif).
KALIA scheme (Krishak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) Odisha Annual assistance of Rs 12,500 each to farmers.
Krishak Bandhu West Bengal Rs 5000 to farmers in two installments.
Mukhya Mantri Krishi Aashirwad Yojana Jharkhand Rs. 5000 / – per acre per year (up to 5 acres).
The Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyaya Yojana Chhattisgarh Rupees 13,000 an acre a year is given.

 

Agriculture in India: Empowering Farmers through PM Kisan Mann Dhan Yojana

  • To provide social security to Small and Marginal Farmers in their old age.
  • A minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria, on attaining the age of 60 years.
  • It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
  • The Central Government also contributes an equal amount to the Pension Fund.
  • LIC is the fund manager and responsible for pension pay-out.
  • Eligibility:
    • Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF): a farmer who owns cultivable land upto 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned State/UT.
    • Age of 18- 40 years

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Supporting Farmers In Agriculture In India: Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aaysanrakshan Abhiyaan

  • The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers’ produce.
  • Three Components of PM-AASHA:
  1. Price Support Scheme: physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and Copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with a proactive role of State governments.
  2. Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and Sale/model price on disposal in the notified market.
  3. Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPPS): The selected private agency will be hired to procure the commodity at MSP in the notified markets on behalf of the government.

Key Committees and Their Roles in Agriculture in India  #

National Commission on Farmers/ Swaminathan Committee (2004)
  • The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) was under the chairmanship of Professor M.S. Swaminathan.
  • Recommended -to fix minimum support prices (MSP) for crops at levels at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production.
Beekeeping Development Committee
  • It is set up under the Chairmanship of Bibek Debroy to recognize honeybees as inputs to agriculture and considering landless beekeepers as farmers.
 

 

 

 

Shanta Kumar committee (2014)

  • Reduce the number of beneficiaries under the Food Security Act—from the current 67 percent to 40 percent.
  • Allow private players to procure and store food grains.
  • Stop bonuses on minimum support price (MSP) paid by states to farmers, and adopt a cash transfer system so that MSP and food subsidy.
  • Abolishing levy rice: Under levy rice policy, the government buys a certain percentage of rice (varies from 25 to 75 percent in states) from the mills compulsorily, which is called levy rice. Mills can sell only the remainder in the open market.
  • Deregulate the fertilizer sector and provide a cash fertilizer subsidy of Rs 7,000 per hectare to farmers.
  • Outsource the stocking of grains and set up negotiable warehouse receipt (NWR) systems.
  • Clear and transparent liquidation policy for buffer stock.
 

 

 

Ashok Dalwai committee (2016)

 

  • On doubling Farmers Income (by 2022)
  • It recommends that:
    • Placing agricultural marketing in the concurrent list.
    • Greater private participation.
    • Upgrading the existing rural periodical markets as Primary Rural Agricultural Markets for meeting the rural retail market demand.
  • FPO’s can play an important role in integrating small and marginal farmers into the agricultural market system.

    

Agriculture in India: Other Groups Impacting Farming 

Small Farmer Agri Business Consortium
  • Autonomous Society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  • To promote agribusiness project development in their respective States.
  • To promote Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) / Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).
  • Implementation of National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Electronic Trading platform.
  • Few Important Schemes Implemented by SFAC: Equity Grant & Credit Guarantee Fund (EGCGF) Scheme, Venture Capital Assistance (VCA) Scheme, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Scheme, National Agriculture Market (NAM) Scheme, etc.
  • SFAC launched the Kisan Rath app with the help of Ministry of Agriculture which lessened the problem of transport of farm produce during lockdown
APEDA
  • Statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Promotes export of agricultural and processed food products from India.
  • Entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar.
 

 

FPOs

  • A type of Producer organization where the members are farmers.
  • Farmers will have better collective strength, better access to quality input, technology, credit, better marketing access through economies of scale, better realization of income.
  • Issues: difficulty in mobilizing farmers, proper management, limited membership, autonomy and credit restrictions without offering collateral.

   

Agriculture in India: Empowering Farmers through Contract Farming

  • Contract farming is based on a pre-harvest agreement between the buyers and producers.
  • It is under the Concurrent List under the seventh schedule of the Indian constitution.

Agriculture in India: Making Futures with the Model Contract Farming Act (2018)

  • This ensures buying of the entire pre-agreed quantity and price from the farmers.
  • All pre-production, production and post-production services are under its ambit.
  • Bar the transfer of ownership of the farmer’s land to sponsor companies.
  • Contract farming will remain outside the ambit of the respective Agricultural Produce Marketing Act of the states/UTs.
  • Limits of stockholding of agricultural produce will not be applicable to produce purchased under contract farming.

Agriculture in India: Essential Commodities with the Essential Commodities Act (1955)

  • There is no specific definition of essential commodities in The EC Act.
  • To regulate the production, supply and distribution of commodities. It declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices.
  • The Central government can add or remove a commodity in the Schedule of the Act.
  • The government can also fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Agriculture in India and Growth with the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

  • Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: AIF scheme is a Central Sector Scheme offering a medium-long term debt financing facility of Rs.1 lakh crore for funding agriculture infrastructure to support and promote agricultural development, improve productivity, and address challenges faced by farmers, agribusinesses, and the overall agricultural industry.
  • It will provide a medium- to long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
  • Total Loan Amount: Rs. 1 Lakh Crore provided by banks and financial institutions.
  • Eligible Entities: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Marketing Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHG), Farmers, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, Aggregation Infrastructure Providers, Public-Private Partnership Projects by Central/State agencies or local bodies
  • Loan Distribution:
    • Year 1: Rs. 10,000 crore
    • Years 2-4: Rs. 30,000 crore each year
  • Interest Subvention: 3% per annum on loans up to Rs. 2 crore
    • Valid for up to 7 years
  • Credit Guarantee: Available under CGTMSE scheme for loans up to Rs. 2 crore
    • Government pays the coverage fee
    • FPOs can get credit guarantees from DACFW’s FPO promotion scheme
  • Government Budget Support: Rs. 10,736 crore
  • Repayment Moratorium:
    • Minimum: 6 months
    • Maximum: 2 years
  • Job Creation: Expected to create many jobs in rural areas through formal credit for farming and processing activities.
  • Management System: Online MIS platform for loan applications and management
    • Transparency in interest rates and scheme benefits
    • Minimum documentation and faster approval process
    • Integration with other schemes
  • Monitoring: National, State, and District level Monitoring Committees for real-time oversight and feedback
  • Scheme Duration: FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years)

   Agriculture in India: Sustainable Growth with Organic Farming

  • India ranks 1st in number of organic farmers and 9th in terms of area under organic farming.
  • Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic in 2016.
  • The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses.
  • There was an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs. 5151 crore.

Agriculture in India: Change through Government Initiatives for Organic Farming 

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD):
  • MOCVD is a Central Sector Scheme, a sub-mission under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
  • It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2015 for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
  • The scheme aims to develop certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of the entire value chain.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
  • Launched in 2015 is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) of the major project National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
  • Under PMKVY, organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic villages by cluster approach and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification.
National Program for Organic Production (NPOP):
  • NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of third party certification for export purposes.
PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME):
  • The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched the PM FME scheme as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’.
  • It aims to bring in new technology, apart from affordable credit to help small entrepreneurs penetrate new markets.

   

Agriculture in India: Sustainability through Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

  • Addressing the United Nations conference on desertification (COP-14), Indian PM told the global community that India is focusing on Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
  • ZBNF was also highlighted in budget 2019 in the bid to double farmer’s income by 2022.
  • ‘Zero Budget’ means without using any loan, and without spending any money on purchase of inputs (seeds, fertilizers).
  • ‘Natural farming’ means farming without chemicals. By using biofertilizers, earthworms, cow dung etc.
  • It was originally promoted by agriculturist Subhash Palekar,who developed it in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods that are driven by chemical fertilizers and pesticides and intensive irrigation.

ZBNF: Embracing Sustainable Farming Practices in Agriculture in India

Jeevamrutha: It is a mixture of fresh cow dung and aged cow urine (both from India’s indigenous cow breed), jaggery, pulse flour, water and soil; to be applied on farmland.
Bijamrita: It is a concoction of neem leaves & pulp, tobacco and green chilies prepared for insect and pest management, that can be used to treat seeds.
Acchadana (Mulching): It protects topsoil during cultivation and does not destroy it by tilling. 
Whapasa: It is the condition where there are both air molecules and water molecules present in the soil. Thereby helping in reducing irrigation requirements.

  

Innovation in Agriculture in India : Recent Government Policies

Agri Reforms Bill Pros Cons
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020
  • Permits the sale of produce outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Mandis.
  • No cess or levy outside the Mandis will be charged to farmers.
  • Permits interstate trade of agricultural produce.
  • Lead to the end of Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime.
  • This will facilitate remunerative prices through competitive, alternative trading channels to promote efficient, open and barrier-free interstate and intrastate trade.
  • The state’s income from the respective Mandis would be lost.
  • Farmers across various states believe that the scheme would lead to the end of Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime.
  • Lack of confidence and trust causing clashes between farmers and the government.
The Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
  • This policy encourages ‘contract farming’.
  • It will reduce the marketing costs and increase farmers’ earnings.
  • Removes intermediaries appointed by the state APMC.
  • The probability of conflicts will increase.
  • Can give rise to intermediaries/middlemen again.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020
  • It deregulates manufacturing, storing, and selling of a range of food products, including cereals, pulses, edible oils, and onions, except in rare situations.
  • It can bring in new investments in infrastructure provisions, e.g., cold storage, warehouse.
  • This legalizes hoarding effectively, which can be devastating for prices of vital commodities such as vegetables and pulses.

 

    

WTO Agreements in the Context of Agriculture in India

  • Domestic Support: given to the farmers for encouraging agricultural activities- research and development, food security subsidies.
  • AOA classifies subsidies in different boxes to regulate the agricultural subsidies through the following mechanisms.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE: Alternative Approaches in Agriculture in Indian #

  • AoA is aimed to remove trade barriers and to promote transparent market access and integration of global markets.
  • It stands on following three pillars:
MARKET ACCESS DOMESTIC SUPPORT EXPORT COMPETITION
Tariffs: Tariffication and Reduction Commitments
  • Green Box
  • Blue Box
  • Development Box
  • Amber Box: (De Minimus + Commitments)
  • Export Subsidies
  • Agriculture Circumvention: Food Aid + Export Credit

   

 Green Box
  • Subsidies which are no or least market distorting.
  • Income Support which is not product specific and uniformly available to farmers and crop doesn’t matter.
  • subsidies must not distort trade, or at most cause minimal distortion
  • They have to be government-funded.
  • They should not relate to (are “decoupled” from) current production levels or prices.
Amber Box / Aggregate Measure Of Support (Ams)
  • Those subsidies which are trade distorting and need to be curbed.
 Blue Box
  • This is the “amber box with conditions.”
  • Any support that would normally be in the amber box, is placed in the blue box if the support also requires farmers to limit production.
De-Minimis support
  • Under this provision, developed countries are allowed to maintain trade distorting subsidies or ‘Amber box’ subsidies to a level of 5% of total value of agricultural output. For developing countries this figure was 10%.
Special and Differential Treatment Box
  • Special concessions to the developing economies for their agricultural development like subsidies for tractors, plowing machines, pump sets, winnowing machines etc.
Sanitary and PhytoSanitary Measures
  • Measures for food safety and animal and plant health based on scientific terms. They should not be arbitrary and discriminatory in nature.

 

 

Changes in Agriculture In India: Exploring Various Revolutions in India #

 

  • Green Revolution: Food Grains
  • White Revolution: Milk
  • Blue Revolution: Fisheries
  • Yellow Revolution: Oilseeds
  • Red Revolution: Meat
  • Silver Revolution: Egg
  • Grey Revolution: Fertilizers
  • Golden Revolution: Horticulture

 

 

Green Revolution

It was done in two phases:

  • The first Green Revolution in mid 1960’s to mid 1970’s was to ensure food security as there was severe scarcity of food in the country.
  • The second Green Revolution (1970’s-1980’s) aims at creating sustainable agriculture by leveraging advancements in technology.

 

 

Bringing Green Revolution In Eastern India

  • BGREI is the flagship programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
  • It is intended to address the constraints limiting the productivity of “rice based cropping systems”.
  • The BGREI program was announced in the Union Budget, 2010-11.
  • BGREI focuses on bringing the second Green Revolution in the eastern region, which has rich water resources.
  • Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and eastern Uttar Pradesh (Poorvanchal) are the seven states.
Blue Revolution- Fisheries
  • Launched in India during the seventh five-year plan from 1985 to 1990.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana– to bring all fishermen under the ambit of farmer welfare programs and social security schemes.
  • Its aim is to augment fish production to achieve its target of 15 million tonnes by 2020 under the blue revolution and raise it thereafter to about 20 million tonnes by 2020 to 2023.
  • Mission Fingerling: facilitate establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure the fish production of fish fingerling, Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the country.

 BUDGET 2020:

  • Sagar Mitras”- these are extension workers to advise fishermen with processing and marketing.
  • Target to raise fishery export to ₹1 lakh crore by 2024-25.
  • Promote growing algae, sea-weed and Cage Culture (growing of fishes in existing water resources in a net cage which allows free flow of water.)
 

White Revolution- Milk

  • Nodal Department: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
  • Operation Flood: Operation Flood was started by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in the 1970s.
  • Objective: to create a nationwide milk grid. The result was that India became the largest producer of Milk and Milk Products.
  • Operation flood is called White Revolution of India.
  • Dr. Verghese Kurien and Gujarat-based co-operation “Anand Milk Union Limited” (Amul) are associated with white revolution

 

Improving Animal Farming for Better Agriculture in India  #

  • DPSP Article 48: requires the State to organize animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, preserving and improving breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and other cattle.
  • BUDGET 2020: To eliminate following disease by 2025:
  • Cattle: Foot and Mouth disease, Brucellosis,
  • Sheep and Goat: Peste Des Petits Ruminants(PPR)
  • Use MGNREGA workers to develop fodder farms.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course 

Agriculture in India: Connected Programs and Initiatives #

 

Pashudhan

Sanjivani

  • Animal Wellness Programme with emergency helpline.
  • Farmers given Nakul Swasthya Patra- An Animal Health card with UID identification number of each animal registered in a National Database.
e-Pashudhan

Haat portal

  • Online portal for connecting farmers with breeders of indigenous bovine breeds so they can connect with each other for bulls, artificial insemination etc.
 

Rashtriya Gokul
mission

  • Indigenous bovine breeds – conserve them & increase their population.
  • Example: Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, etc.
  • State governments are given money to establish Gokul Gram breeding & disease treatment centers.
National

Kamdhenu

breeding center

  • For development and conservation of indigenous breeds in a scientific manner.
Rashtriya

Kamdhenu Aayog 2019

  • Ministry:  Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
  • Aim: Genetic up-gradation of cow resources + Enhance cow productivity through research in organic manure, biogas etc; Cow welfare, cow protection laws.

Conclusion
Indian agriculture has evolved significantly with advancements in seeds, irrigation, and market structures. The Green and Blue Revolutions have played a crucial role in increasing food and fish production. Government schemes continue to support farmers, ensuring they have the necessary resources and market access. Despite challenges, these efforts collectively aim to sustain and grow the agricultural sector, securing food for the nation.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

THE MOST
LEARNING PLATFORM

Learn From India's Best Faculty

      

 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">







    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.