The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture – UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis – 26th Aug 2024 – Edukemy

India, a land of diverse cultures and traditions, has always been deeply connected to its agriculture. As we approach the year 2047, a significant milestone in our nation’s history, the question arises: how can Indian agriculture evolve to meet the growing demands of a rapidly expanding population while ensuring food security and sustainability? This journey, “The Road to 2047,” explores the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Indian agriculture, and how we can harness innovation and technology to create a more prosperous and resilient agricultural sector.

Tags: GS-3, Economy- The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture      

Context:  

• India’s centennial year of independence is still away, in 2047, but the goal of becoming a developed nation looms large.  
• India’s 100th independence anniversary in 2047 is approaching, and the goal to become ‘a developed nation’ in  the agriculture sector.  

Goals of Indian Agriculture by Vision 2047:  

• Comprehensive Goal:   
  • As India approaches its centennial year of independence, the Vision 2047 underscores the need for a six-fold increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI), with a focus on comprehensive development, particularly in the agricultural sector.  
• Trade Goal:   
  • In 2022-23, India’s agricultural and processed food exports surpassed USD 50 billion.   
  • Vision 2047 aims to enhance the availability of nutritious foods by improving fruit and vegetable processing and increasing the share of value-added products in India’s export portfolio.  
• Sustainable Goal:   
  • The transformation of Indian agriculture is contingent on the adoption of sustainable practices, including precision farming, genetically modified crops, and advanced irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.  

Significance of Agriculture in India:  

• Contribution to GDP:  
  • Agriculture’s share in India’s GDP has declined from 35% in 1990-91 to 15% in 2022-23, reflecting the rapid growth of the industrial and service sectors, though it remains a crucial sector.  
• Employment:  
  • Agriculture is the largest employer, with approximately 45.76% of the workforce engaged in the sector as of 2022-23, according to the PLFS.  

• Food Security:  
  • India is self-sufficient in staple foods like rice and wheat and leads in the global production of milk, pulses, and spices. The Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures food security for the population.  
• Land Use:  
  • Over 50% of India’s geographical area is used for agriculture, with 195 million hectares under cultivation, 63% of which is rainfed and 37% irrigated.  
• Foreign Exchange:  
  • Agricultural exports are vital for foreign exchange, contributing USD 52.50 billion in 2022-23, with products like rice, spices, and cotton leading the way.  

• Socio-Cultural and Environmental Sustainability:  
  • Agriculture is central to India’s cultural heritage, influencing rural traditions and community life. Sustainable practices are essential for preserving soil, water, and biodiversity, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.  

Present Imbalance in the Indian Economy:  

• Workforce vs. GDP Contribution:   
  • Although agriculture employs nearly 46% of India’s workforce, it contributes only about 18% to the GDP, highlighting a significant economic imbalance.  
• Growth Disparity:   
  • Since 1991-92, while the overall GDP has grown at an annual rate of 6.1%, agricultural GDP has lagged behind at 3.3%.   
  • In the last decade (2013-2023), the overall GDP growth rate was 5.9%, with agriculture growing at 3.6%, underscoring the sector’s socio-economic challenges.  
• Future Projections:   
  • By 2047, agriculture’s share in GDP may decline to 7%-8%, but it could still employ over 30% of the workforce.  
  • This scenario necessitates substantial structural changes to prevent further exacerbation of the existing economic disparity.  

Government Initiatives:  

• For Water Management: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has promoted water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation, covering 78 lakh hectares with a ₹93,068 crore allocation for 2021-26.  
• For Risk Management: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides financial assistance for crop losses, with 49.5 crore farmers enrolled and claims exceeding ₹1.45 lakh crore.  
• For Market Access: The Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) integrates existing markets via an electronic platform, benefiting 1.76 million farmers and recording trade worth ₹2.88 lakh crore by September 2023.  
• For Better Farmer Support: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which disburses ₹6,000 annually to farmers, has benefited over 11.8 crore farmers.  
• For Enhanced Soil Health: The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme aims to optimise soil nutrient use and improve productivity, with over 23 crore SHCs distributed.  

Need for Strategic Planning:  

• Population Growth: India’s population is projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 and 1.59 billion by 2040, increasing food demand by approximately 2.85% annually.  
• Future Demand: By 2047-48, food grain demand is projected to range between 402 million tonnes and 437 million tonnes, necessitating sustainable production that exceeds demand by 10%-13% under a Business-As-Usual scenario.  

Key Challenges Related to the Farm Sector in India:  

• Small Land Holdings:  
  • A significant portion of arable land is divided into small holdings, limiting economies of scale.  
  • As per the Agriculture Census 2015-16, 86.1% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, with landholdings smaller than 2 hectares.  
• Economic Hardships:  
  • The average monthly income of a farmer’s household was approximately ₹10,218 as per the NSO report (2019), highlighting economic challenges.  
  • Over 50% of agricultural households were in debt, according to the 2019 NSS survey.  
• Soil Degradation & Water Scarcity:  
  • Around 90% of India’s groundwater is used for agriculture, leading to depleting aquifers.  
  • Soil degradation due to improper practices reduces fertility and productivity.  
• Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure:  
  • Insufficient storage and cold chain facilities, inadequate rural roads, and limited market access result in post-harvest losses and higher production costs.  
• Underinvestment in Agricultural Research:  
  • Investment in agricultural research has not kept pace with inflation, resulting in decreased real funding and hindering innovation.  
• Outdated Farming Practices:  
  • A significant portion of farmers rely on traditional methods, with limited access to modern techniques and information, slowing the adoption of advanced practices.  
• Market Volatility & Price Fluctuations:  
  • Farmers face price volatility due to weak market linkages and global pressures, leading to uncertain returns.  
  • Policy challenges, including the impact of WTO rulings, contribute to depressed farm-gate prices.  
• Skewed Policy Challenges:  
  • The public distribution system provides cereals at low prices, driving down the income farmers earn from their crops.  
  • Skewed fertiliser subsidies promote overuse, affecting human health and environmental sustainability.  
• Climate Change & Natural Disasters:  
  • Unpredictable weather, climate change, and natural disasters like floods and droughts pose significant challenges.  
  • Without adaptation measures, rainfed rice yields in India could decrease by 20% by 2050 and 47% by 2080, according to climate change impact assessments.  

Way Forward:   

• Investment in R&D:  
  • R&D Funding: Significant investments in agricultural R&D are vital to foster innovation, enhance crop resilience, and ensure food security.  
  • Infrastructure Development: Developing robust agricultural infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency.  
• Strategic Budget Allocation:  
  • Agricultural Credit: The 2024-25 budget allocates ₹20 lakh crore for agricultural credit and introduces the Agriculture Accelerator Fund to drive innovation.  
  • Support for Small Farmers: Prioritise budget support for small and marginal farmers to enhance access to credit, subsidies, and modern inputs.  
• Enhance Digital Infrastructure:  
  • Digital Platforms: Expand platforms like eNAM to improve market access, real-time data availability, and price realisation for farmers.  
  • Digital Literacy: Promote digital literacy among farmers to ensure they can fully utilise digital tools and participate in the digital agricultural ecosystem.  
• Holistic Agricultural Approach:  
  • Integrate production, marketing, and consumption in agriculture.  
  • Enhance access to credit, inputs, and farmer advisory services.  
  • Promote sustainable farming practices and strengthen FPOs and cooperatives.  
• Value Chain Development:  
  • Build value chains for high-value crops, dairy, fisheries, and poultry.  
  • Implement public-private partnerships and schemes like PLI to boost value chain development.  

Conclusion:  

India’s Vision 2047 for agriculture demands strategic investments in R&D, infrastructure, and digital platforms, alongside targeted budget allocations to support farmers. By focusing on innovation, resilience, and efficiency, India can ensure sustainable agricultural growth, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and secure food security, positioning itself as a global leader in agriculture by its centennial year of independence.  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Prelims:  

Q:1  In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)  

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?  

1. 1 and 2 only  
2. 2 and 3 only  
3. 1 and 3 only  
4. 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (d)  

Q:2 Consider the following pairs: (2014)  

                                    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?  

1. 1 and 2 only  
2. 3 only  
3. 1, 2 and 3  
4. None  

Ans: (d)  

Q:3  In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)  

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:  

1. 1, 2 and 5 only  
2. 1, 3, 4 and 5 only  
3. 2, 3 and 6 only  
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6  

Ans: (c)  

Mains:  

Q:1 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). (2016)  

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)  

Source: TH  

FAQs

FAQ 1: What is the goal of “The Road to 2047” for Indian agriculture?

Answer: The goal of this initiative is to transform Indian agriculture by 2047, making it more sustainable, efficient, and profitable. It aims to ensure food security, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

FAQ 2: How does this initiative plan to achieve its goals?

Answer: “The Road to 2047” involves a multi-pronged approach, including:

• Technological advancements: Promoting the use of modern agricultural technologies like precision farming, drones, and artificial intelligence to improve crop yields and reduce waste.
• Infrastructure development: Investing in irrigation systems, cold storage facilities, and rural roads to enhance agricultural productivity and market access.
• Policy reforms: Implementing policies that support sustainable agriculture, such as organic farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart agriculture.
• Farmer empowerment: Providing training and education to farmers, enabling them to adopt new practices and make informed decisions.

FAQ 3: How will this initiative benefit farmers?

Answer: “The Road to 2047” will directly benefit farmers by:

• Increasing their incomes: Higher crop yields, improved market access, and reduced costs will lead to increased profits.
• Improving their livelihoods: Access to better infrastructure and technology will enhance their quality of life.
• Ensuring food security: A more productive and sustainable agricultural sector will contribute to ensuring a consistent supply of food for the nation.

FAQ 4: What are the challenges that need to be addressed to achieve these goals?

Answer: Some of the key challenges that need to be overcome include:

• Land fragmentation: Small and fragmented landholdings can hinder efficient farming practices.
• Water scarcity: Limited water availability, especially in drought-prone regions, can constrain agricultural production.
• Climate change: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and pests can adversely affect crops and livestock.
• Market volatility: Fluctuations in prices and demand can impact farmers’ incomes.

FAQ 5: How can the general public contribute to the success of “The Road to 2047”?

Answer: The general public can support this initiative by:

• Reducing food waste: Consuming only what is needed and composting food scraps can help conserve resources.
• Supporting local farmers: Purchasing locally grown produce can boost the agricultural economy and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
• Raising awareness: Sharing information about sustainable agriculture and the importance of supporting farmers can help create a more informed and engaged public.

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