In the realm of editorial analysis, addressing India’s food systems demands urgent attention from the newly formed government. The country faces multifaceted challenges ranging from food insecurity and malnutrition to inefficient distribution networks and agrarian distress. To tackle these issues comprehensively, the government must prioritize policies that enhance agricultural productivity, ensure fair prices for farmers, and improve access to nutritious food for all citizens. Additionally, investing in infrastructure, technology, and sustainable farming practices can foster resilience against climate change and bolster food security in the long term. By addressing these systemic issues, the new government can lay the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable food system that serves the needs of all Indians.
Tag: GS-3 Agriculture
In News: A recent article emphasizes the critical need for future governments to prioritize boosting agricultural productivity, expanding processing and retailing activities, and encouraging the adoption of new technologies.
Challenges in Ensuring Adequate Agri-Food Systems in India
- Overexploitation of Water Resources
- Marginal cost of water usage leading to water-intensive crops in low-rainfall areas.
- Emergence of monoculture in various regions, disregarding agro-climatic suitability.
- Disregard for Nature and Loss of Crop Diversity
- Policy bias favoring certain crops leading to distortions in crop patterns.
- Sharp decline in crop diversity due to technological and policy biases.
- Low Efficiency and Price Led Growth
- Lower productivity levels compared to major agricultural countries.
- Slow modernization and lack of significant improvement in agricultural practices.
- Imbalances and Regional Disparities
- Growing imbalances between demand and domestic production.
- Rising surplus of certain crops and deficit in others, leading to economic costs.
- Wasteful Investment
- Large investments in irrigation infrastructure with stagnant or declining results.
- Delayed completion of irrigation projects due to various obstacles.
- Technology Generation and Dissemination
- Increasing complexity of agricultural problems requiring capital-intensive research.
- Shrinking scope for spillover from research in the developed world, complicating technology transfer.
- Viability of Smallholders
- Dominance of small land holdings in agriculture, limiting income generation.
- Lack of economies of scale and institutional support for smallholders.
- Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health
- Low nutrition and child health indicators despite agricultural productivity.
- Need for nutritional security alongside food security.
- Mismatch between Structural Changes in Output and Workforce
- Declining share of agriculture in national income and employment, but at different rates.
- Disparity in per worker income between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors.
Steps to Improve Agricultural Productivity
- Raising Total Factor Productivity
- Increased investment in agri-R&D, innovations, and extension services.
- Creating Climate Resilient Agriculture
- Investment in seeds and practices resilient to extreme weather events.
- Building Efficient Value Chains
- Revolutionizing logistics for food movement from rural to urban areas.
- Promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) or Cooperatives
- Bringing smallholders together for collective bargaining power.
- Moving Beyond Simple Food Security to Nutritional Security
- Fortifying staples with micro-nutrients and addressing malnutrition.
- Public-Private Partnership
- Creating a conducive policy framework for private sector investment.
- Shift from Growth to Efficient-Growth
- Upgrading agricultural technology and reducing input wastages.
- Surplus Management
- Shifting food policy focus from shortage to surplus management.
Role of Technology in Improving Food Systems and Agricultural Productivity
- Enhancing Productivity
- Precision farming, mechanization, and biotechnology for higher yields.
- Improving Resource Management
- Water and soil management through technology for efficient resource use.
- Facilitating Market Access
- Digital platforms for direct farmer-consumer interactions and supply chain management.
- Promoting Sustainability
- Empowering smallholder farmers through access to information and renewable energy use.
- Data-driven Decision Making
- Utilizing data analytics for proactive farming strategies and sustainable practices.
In conclusion, addressing these challenges and implementing suggested steps with the integration of technology will pave the way for a modern and vibrant agriculture sector, contributing significantly to the goal of a new India.
| UPSC Previous Year Questions Prelims (2021) Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (d) Prelims (2014) Q. Consider the following pairs: Programme/Project Ministry 1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture 2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests 3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None Ans: (d) Prelims (2020) Q. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? 1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops 2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 3. Social Capital development 4. Free electricity supply to farmers 5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system 6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 5 only (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only (c) 2, 3 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Ans: (c) Mains (2016)Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Mains (2017)Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? |
Source: IE
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the key challenges facing India’s food systems that the new government must address?
A: India’s food systems grapple with issues such as food insecurity, malnutrition, inefficient distribution networks, agrarian distress, and environmental degradation.
Q: How can the government enhance agricultural productivity to improve India’s food systems?
A: The government can promote the adoption of modern farming techniques, provide access to quality seeds and fertilizers, invest in irrigation infrastructure, and offer training and support to farmers.
Q: What measures can the government take to ensure fair prices for farmers in India?
A: The government can implement policies such as minimum support prices (MSPs) for crops, strengthen agricultural marketing infrastructure, promote farmer-producer organizations, and regulate commodity markets to prevent exploitation.
Q: How can the government improve access to nutritious food for all citizens?
A: The government can implement targeted food subsidy programs, expand the reach of public distribution systems (PDS), promote backyard and community gardens, and support initiatives to educate people about healthy eating habits.
Q: What role does technology play in reforming India’s food systems?
A: Technology can facilitate traceability in the supply chain, improve access to market information for farmers, enable precision agriculture techniques, and enhance food processing and storage capabilities, thereby contributing to a more efficient and resilient food system.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
