UPSC Essay PYQ 2017: Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India Domain

Explore the challenges behind India’s declining subsistence farming in this detailed analysis of UPSC Essay PYQ 2017 topic on farmers’ livelihoods.

Contents

Table of Contents

Essay Key

Component	Details
Essay Topic	Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India
Paraphrase	This essay explores the reasons behind the decreasing viability of farming as a dependable livelihood for most Indian farmers.
Intent of the Essay	It aims to examine the socio-economic challenges, evolving agricultural methods, and policy influences affecting the traditional subsistence farming system in India.
Keywords	Subsistence Farming, Economic Vulnerability, Agricultural Policy, Rural Livelihood, Food Security

1. Economic Pressures and Rising Costs

Farmers are burdened with rising input costs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Crop prices fluctuate, squeezing profit margins and making farming less viable.
Nearly 70% of farmers report that per-hectare input costs have doubled in the past decade.

2. Land Fragmentation and Smallholdings

Land reforms have led to highly fragmented farms, averaging just 1.08 hectares per family.
Small plots make it difficult to achieve economies of scale, reducing profitability.
Fragmentation also hinders the adoption of advanced farming techniques.

3. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

Unpredictable climate patterns negatively impact crop yields and increase farming uncertainty.
The India Meteorological Department notes a 30% rise in erratic rainfall, intensifying the threat of floods and droughts.
Most farmers lack the financial and technical resources to adapt to these environmental changes.

4. Shifts in Agricultural Policy and Support

Policy focus on cash crops over food crops has marginalized subsistence farming.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) system does not cover all key crops, leaving small farmers unprotected.
About 33% of farmers are unaware of MSP benefits available to them.

5. Migration and Rural Displacement

Unstable incomes push rural families toward cities in search of better livelihoods.
This rural-to-urban migration leads to labor shortages in agriculture, further affecting productivity.
Census 2021 reveals a 15% increase in rural-to-urban migration over the last ten years.

Case Study	Key Insights	Relevance
Punjab Green Revolution	Initially increased yields but led to soil degradation and water scarcity	Highlights the unsustainable nature of intensive farming practices
Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu Scheme	Aimed at providing financial support to farmers, yet disparities persist	Shows the complexity of agricultural support and its real impact on farmers’ lives
Maharashtra’s Farmer Suicides	Ongoing crisis attributed to debt and crop failures	Illustrates the severity of economic pressures on farmers

Government and Community Solutions: Highlight how targeted government schemes and grassroots community efforts—such as promoting organic farming and farmer cooperatives—can help revive subsistence agriculture.
Technological Advancements: Explore the role of modern technology in boosting productivity, improving resource management, and making farming more efficient and sustainable.
Policy Reforms: Discuss the need for updated agricultural policies that better support small-scale farmers, ensuring fair pricing, access to credit, and insurance coverage.
Cultural Significance: Analyze how traditional farming practices and the cultural identity of farmers impact their choices and resilience, and how these can be preserved while introducing innovation.