08-February-2025-Editorial

PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing nearly half of the country’s workforce. The Government of India, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, has launched several initiatives to improve agricultural productivity, provide financial support to farmers, and enhance the use of modern technology. Despite these efforts, Indian agriculture faces multiple challenges that need immediate attention.

Key Government Initiatives for Agricultural Promotion

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme

• Launched to provide easy access to credit for farmers.
• Expanded in 2019 to cover animal husbandry, fisheries, and dairying.
• As of March 2024, 7.75 crore KCC accounts exist with an outstanding loan of Rs 9.81 lakh crore.

Crop Insurance Schemes

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) protects farmers from financial losses due to crop failure.
• Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) covers weather-related risks.
• Farmers’ enrollment under PMFBY and RWBCIS increased by 35.12% and 27.50% respectively in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Agricultural Mechanization

• Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) trains farmers on selecting, operating, and maintaining farm equipment.
• Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) provide hands-on training to enhance mechanization.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• An umbrella scheme allowing states to implement agriculture-related programs based on their needs.
• Supports holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.

National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM)

• Developed innovative machines like seed washers, graders, and roasting machines for Makhana processing.
• Assisted 24 enterprises, including Mithila Naturals, in growing the Makhana industry.

Project VISTAAR

• Aims to create a unified digital agriculture ecosystem.
• Integrates AI chatbots and Agristack for real-time farmer support.
• Enhances accessibility, scalability, and communication with farmers.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• Focuses on promoting organic farming through cluster-based approaches.
• Since 2015-16, covered 14.99 lakh hectares, benefiting over 25 lakh farmers.

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Strengthens farmers’ collective bargaining power.
• As of December 2024, 9,268 FPOs registered under the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMY)

• Offers a minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month to enrolled farmers after the age of 60.
• By November 2024, 24.66 lakh farmers had joined the scheme.

Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)

• Supports efficient water use through drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
• Provides 55% financial assistance to small and marginal farmers and 45% to others for installation.

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)

• Provides weather-based crop advisories to farmers via SMS, radio, and social media.
• Meghdoot and Mausam mobile apps help farmers make informed decisions.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

• Aims to develop post-harvest infrastructure to reduce losses and remove middlemen.
• Offers a 3% interest subvention on loans up to Rs 2 crore, with a 9% interest cap.

Skill Development Initiatives

• Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY): Offers 7-day short-term training in agriculture.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK): Provides practical training in agriculture, horticulture, and livestock.
• Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA): Decentralized extension service for farmers.
• Student READY Programme: Focuses on hands-on learning and rural awareness.

Challenges in Indian Agriculture

Fragmented Land Holdings

• The average farm size declined from 2.3 hectares in 1970-71 to 1.08 hectares in 2015-16.
• 86.1% of farmers have less than 2 hectares of land, restricting mechanization and credit access.

Low Adoption of Technology

• Slow integration of precision farming, AI, and drones affects productivity.
• Limited awareness and affordability hinder modern agricultural practices.

Post-Harvest Losses

• Estimated post-harvest losses range between 10-25%.
• Only 11% of agricultural produce is stored in cold storage, leading to distress sales.

Lack of Crop Diversification

• Indian agriculture is dominated by rice and wheat cultivation.
• Only 17% of total cultivated land is used for horticulture, despite government efforts to promote millets.

Irrigation Challenges

• 52% of agricultural land was irrigated by 2022-23, with over-reliance on monsoons.
• Climate change is expected to reduce agricultural incomes by 15-18%, making irrigation efficiency crucial.

Way Forward

Enhancing Productivity through Precision Agriculture

• Use of GPS-guided machinery, IoT sensors, and data analytics can optimize farming.
• Helps in efficient water and resource management.

Promoting Crop Diversification

• Encouraging millet and horticulture farming improves soil health and farmer income.
• Diversification can mitigate risks associated with climate change.

Strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Strengthening FPOs can increase farmer incomes by 25-30% through collective bargaining and market access.

Supporting Agri-Tech Startups

• Startups like DeHaat and AgroStar can bridge the technology gap and increase efficiency.
• Incubation programs and funding for agri-tech solutions should be expanded.

Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture

• Promotion of drought and flood-resistant crops (e.g., Swarna-Sub1 rice).
• Water conservation techniques and efficient irrigation can boost sustainability.

Conclusion

India’s agriculture sector has made significant progress due to various government initiatives. However, challenges such as fragmented land holdings, post-harvest losses, low technological adoption, and climate vulnerabilities persist. Addressing these issues through precision farming, crop diversification, digital infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture will ensure long-term growth, sustainability, and enhanced farmer incomes.