Accelerating Crop Diversification in India aims to move away from water-intensive crops like rice towards pulses, oilseeds and other high-value options, improving farmer income and food security. This not only benefits farmers but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
Tags: {GS – 3 Cropping Patterns, GS – 1 Food Security}
For Prelims: Crop diversification, Wheat cultivation, Wheat blast disease, Bananas, Green Revolution in India, Leguminous crops, Biofuel, MSP.
For Mains: Needs For Crop Diversification in India, Concerns Related to Crop Diversification.
Context:
- In recent years, West Bengal has experienced a notable agricultural transformation with crop diversification, especially in border districts with Bangladesh.
- This shift sees farmers moving from traditional wheat cultivation to alternatives such as bananas, lentils, maize, and other crops.
What are the Reasons Behind the Shift from Wheat Production?
- Wheat Blast Disease: The emergence of wheat blast disease in Bangladesh in 2016 resulted in a two-year ban on wheat cultivation in border areas of West Bengal, including Murshidabad and Nadia districts. This prompted farmers to explore alternative crops.
- Wheat blast disease, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum (MoT), primarily affects wheat crops, leading to dark lesions on wheat spikes, leaves, and stems, resulting in significant yield losses.
- Economic Viability: Farmers have emphasised the economic benefits of cultivating alternative crops like bananas. Profitability during peak seasons, coupled with stagnant wheat prices and concerns over water consumption, have contributed to the shift.
- Shift to Higher Output Crops: Maize cultivation has also increased significantly in the area, with production soaring eightfold from 2011 to 2023. Despite lower maize prices per quintal compared to wheat, the higher per-hectare output and demand from poultry and food processing industries make it a lucrative alternative. Additionally, pulses and oilseeds production in this area has experienced a surge.
Why India Needs to Focus on Crop Diversification?
- Crop diversification involves cultivating a variety of crops on a farm instead of focusing on a single crop, aiming to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate the negative impacts of monoculture.
- The Green Revolution in India, marked by the introduction of high-yielding rice and wheat varieties, significantly increased food output, alleviating hunger and malnutrition.
- However, it also resulted in the monoculture of these crops, leading to a decline in crop variety and the loss of traditional, region-specific strains, causing genetic diversity loss. For example, India has lost over 100,000 traditional rice varieties since the 1970s due to the Green Revolution’s impact.
- Therefore, there is a pressing need to transition towards crop diversification to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Benefits of Crop Diversification:
- Risk Reduction: Farmers in drought-prone regions can mitigate risks by growing both drought-tolerant varieties (e.g., millets or sorghum) and water-intensive crops (e.g., rice or vegetables). This ensures some level of harvest even in the event of water shortages.
- Soil Health Improvement: Planting leguminous crops like soybeans or peanuts can enhance soil health by fixing nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops like maize or wheat that require nitrogen-rich soil for optimal growth.
- Market Opportunities: Diversifying crops allows farmers to tap into niche markets or emerging trends. For instance, the demand for organic produce presents an opportunity for farmers to venture into organic farming, which often commands higher prices in the market.
- Pest and Disease Management: Intercropping or mixed cropping, a form of crop diversification, helps manage pests and diseases. Planting marigold flowers alongside vegetable crops can deter pests, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting natural pest control mechanisms.
- Source of Biofuels: Crops like Jatropha and Pongamia hold potential for biofuel production, offering farmers additional income opportunities while contributing to India’s energy security.
Concerns:
- Market Risks and Limited Opportunities: Farmers are often reluctant to transition from established crops like rice and wheat, which receive assured government support through Minimum Support Prices (MSP), to lesser-known crops. These alternatives may face fluctuating market prices or limited demand, posing potential income risks for farmers.
- Financial Constraints: Crop diversification requires additional investment in seeds, equipment, and knowledge about cultivation practices. Smallholder farmers, who constitute a significant portion of India’s agricultural sector, may lack the financial resources to adopt these changes readily.
- Emergence of Millets: Millets such as Jowar, Ragi, and Bajra are gaining popularity due to their high nutritional value and suitability for marginal lands. However, creating a robust market for these crops necessitates investment in processing facilities to transform them into consumer-friendly products like ready-to-eat mixes or breakfast cereals.
- Lack of Infrastructure and Storage: Perishable diversified crops often require specialised storage and transportation facilities that may be lacking in rural areas. Without adequate infrastructure, these crops may spoil quickly, resulting in wasted produce and income loss for farmers.
- Clash With Dietary Habits: Crop diversification efforts in India, particularly in regions where rice and wheat are staple foods, could potentially disrupt established market dynamics and consumption patterns. This poses a challenge as it may take time for consumers to adapt to new dietary habits and preferences.
Steps Taken by the Government Regarding Crop Diversification:
- Crop Diversification Programme: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) since 2013-14 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- This initiative targets the Original Green Revolution States – Haryana, Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh, aiming to shift focus from water-intensive paddy cultivation to alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, and cotton.
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to cover a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo.
- Increase in MSP for Kharif Crops: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif crops for the Marketing Season 2023-24.
- Mera Pani-Meri Virasat Scheme (Haryana): This scheme offers financial assistance to farmers transitioning from paddy cultivation to water-saving alternatives such as pulses, oilseeds, millets, and vegetables.
Way Forward:
- Agri-Tourism and ‘U-Pick’ Farms: Establishing ‘U-Pick’ farms where tourists can harvest their fruits and vegetables directly from the field can benefit India. This initiative provides farmers with additional income streams, fosters a connection between consumers and agriculture, and promotes appreciation for diversified crops.
- Biofortification through Gene Editing: Leveraging gene editing techniques like CRISPR can enhance the nutritional value of crops. This approach can address malnutrition concerns and create new markets for biofortified crops.
- Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Diversification: Integrating regenerative agriculture practices such as cover cropping, composting, and no-till farming with diversified crop rotations can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Mains
Q:1 How did India benefit from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively? (2019)
Q:2 Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is crop diversification important in India?
- Reduced Risk: Dependence on a few staple crops makes farmers vulnerable to price fluctuations and weather events. Diversification offers a safety net with income from various sources.
- Improved Soil Health: Different crops have varying nutrient needs. Rotating crops helps replenish nutrients in the soil, leading to long-term sustainability.
- Enhanced Nutrition: Crop diversification encourages growing fruits, vegetables, and pulses, leading to a more balanced diet for farmers and consumers.
- Increased Income: High-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and spices can fetch better prices, improving farmer income and rural livelihoods.
2. What are the challenges to crop diversification in India?
- Market Access: Small farmers often lack access to reliable markets for selling non-traditional crops.
- Price Fluctuations: Prices for new crops can be volatile, discouraging farmers from taking risks.
- Lack of Knowledge & Training: Farmers may need training on new cultivation practices and post-harvest techniques for unfamiliar crops.
- Limited Infrastructure: Cold storage facilities and transportation networks are crucial for perishable crops, but may be lacking in rural areas.
3. What are some initiatives to promote crop diversification in India?
- Government Schemes: Programs like Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) provide financial assistance for infrastructure, seeds, and marketing of horticultural crops.
- Contract Farming: Agreements with companies can offer farmers guaranteed markets and technical support for cultivating specific high-value crops.
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): These groups help farmers collectively bargain for better prices, access inputs, and share knowledge on new crops.
- Research & Development: Developing drought-resistant and high-yielding varieties of new crops can make them more attractive to farmers.
4. How can technology play a role in crop diversification?
- Precision Agriculture: Techniques like soil testing and satellite imagery can help identify suitable crops for specific land types.
- E-commerce Platforms: Online marketplaces can connect farmers directly with consumers, bypassing traditional middlemen and offering better prices.
- Weather Information Services: Real-time weather data can help farmers make informed decisions about planting and harvesting diversified crops.
- Mobile Apps: Apps can provide farmers with information on new crops, market prices, and best agricultural practices.
5. What are the potential benefits of successful crop diversification in India?
- Increased Farmer Income: Diversification can lead to higher and more stable incomes for farmers, improving their overall well-being.
- Improved Food Security: A wider variety of crops reduces dependence on a few staples, making the food system more resilient.
- Enhanced Nutrition: Increased production of fruits, vegetables, and pulses can address malnutrition and dietary deficiencies.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Crop rotation and incorporation of legumes can improve soil health and promote sustainable farming practices.
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