{"id":47747,"date":"2025-05-02T07:10:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T07:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=47747"},"modified":"2025-05-02T07:10:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T07:10:54","slug":"upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/","title":{"rendered":"UPSC Essay PYQ 2017: Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India Domain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Explore the challenges behind India&#8217;s declining subsistence farming in this detailed analysis of UPSC Essay PYQ 2017 topic on farmers&#8217; livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1f8139a884f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1f8139a884f\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/#Essay_Key\" title=\"Essay Key\">Essay Key<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/#Key_Arguments\" title=\"Key Arguments\">Key Arguments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/#Case_StudiesExamples\" title=\"Case Studies\/Examples\">Case Studies\/Examples<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/#Additional_Tips\" title=\"Additional Tips\">Additional Tips<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/upsc-essay-pyq-2017-farming-has-lost-the-ability-to-be-a-source-of-subsistence-for-majority-of-farmers-in-india-domain\/#Join_our_Essay_Course_%E2%80%93_Click_Here\" title=\"Join our Essay Course &#8211; Click Here\">Join our Essay Course &#8211; Click Here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Essay_Key\"><\/span><strong>Essay Key<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Component<\/th><th>Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Essay Topic<\/strong><\/td><td>Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Paraphrase<\/strong><\/td><td>This essay explores the reasons behind the decreasing viability of farming as a dependable livelihood for most Indian farmers.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Intent of the Essay<\/strong><\/td><td>It aims to examine the socio-economic challenges, evolving agricultural methods, and policy influences affecting the traditional subsistence farming system in India.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Keywords<\/strong><\/td><td>Subsistence Farming, Economic Vulnerability, Agricultural Policy, Rural Livelihood, Food Security<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Arguments\"><\/span><strong>Key Arguments<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Economic Pressures and Rising Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Farmers are burdened with rising input costs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crop prices fluctuate, squeezing profit margins and making farming less viable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nearly 70% of farmers report that per-hectare input costs have doubled in the past decade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Land Fragmentation and Smallholdings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Land reforms have led to highly fragmented farms, averaging just 1.08 hectares per family.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small plots make it difficult to achieve economies of scale, reducing profitability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fragmentation also hinders the adoption of advanced farming techniques.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unpredictable climate patterns negatively impact crop yields and increase farming uncertainty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The India Meteorological Department notes a 30% rise in erratic rainfall, intensifying the threat of floods and droughts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most farmers lack the financial and technical resources to adapt to these environmental changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Shifts in Agricultural Policy and Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Policy focus on cash crops over food crops has marginalized subsistence farming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Minimum Support Price (MSP) system does not cover all key crops, leaving small farmers unprotected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About 33% of farmers are unaware of MSP benefits available to them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Migration and Rural Displacement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unstable incomes push rural families toward cities in search of better livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This rural-to-urban migration leads to labor shortages in agriculture, further affecting productivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Census 2021 reveals a 15% increase in rural-to-urban migration over the last ten years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Case_StudiesExamples\"><\/span><strong>Case Studies\/Examples<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Case Study<\/th><th>Key Insights<\/th><th>Relevance<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Punjab Green Revolution<\/td><td>Initially increased yields but led to soil degradation and water scarcity<\/td><td>Highlights the unsustainable nature of intensive farming practices<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Telangana&#8217;s Rythu Bandhu Scheme<\/td><td>Aimed at providing financial support to farmers, yet disparities persist<\/td><td>Shows the complexity of agricultural support and its real impact on farmers\u2019 lives<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Maharashtra&#8217;s Farmer Suicides<\/td><td>Ongoing crisis attributed to debt and crop failures<\/td><td>Illustrates the severity of economic pressures on farmers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bannner-1600-x-1600-2400-x-1392-px-1280-x-300-px-1024x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47463\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Additional_Tips\"><\/span><strong>Additional Tips<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Government and Community Solutions<\/strong>: Highlight how targeted government schemes and grassroots community efforts\u2014such as promoting organic farming and farmer cooperatives\u2014can help revive subsistence agriculture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological Advancements<\/strong>: Explore the role of modern technology in boosting productivity, improving resource management, and making farming more efficient and sustainable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Policy Reforms<\/strong>: Discuss the need for updated agricultural policies that better support small-scale farmers, ensuring fair pricing, access to credit, and insurance coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultural Significance<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Join_our_Essay_Course_%E2%80%93_Click_Here\"><\/span><strong>Join our Essay Course &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click Here<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the challenges behind India&#8217;s declining subsistence farming in this detailed analysis of UPSC Essay PYQ 2017 topic on farmers&#8217; livelihoods.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3777],"tags":[229,3698,3788],"class_list":["post-47747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-upsc-essay","tag-edukemy","tag-shabbir-sir","tag-upsc-essay-pyq-2017"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47747"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47748,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47747\/revisions\/47748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}