Indian agriculture can drive growth and create jobs

Source: The post Indian agriculture can drive growth and create jobs has been created, based on the article “How agriculture can be an engine for growth” published in “Indian Express” on 4th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3- Agriculture

Context: The article argues that Indian agriculture can drive growth and create jobs if ecological, technological, and institutional challenges are addressed. It highlights the need for irrigation, soil regeneration, crop diversity, and group farming to improve productivity and farmer incomes.

For detailed information on India’s initiatives for agriculture towards 2047 targets read this article here

What Challenges Does Indian Agriculture Face?

1. Low Productivity: Despite a 4% growth rate, agriculture only contributes 18% to GDP while employing 46% of workers. This imbalance highlights inefficiencies.
2. Groundwater Over-extraction: Only half of India’s cropped area is irrigated, mainly using groundwater, leading to alarming water table declines. Punjab’s shift from canal irrigation to groundwater after introducing free electricity in 1997 worsened the situation.
3. Soil Degradation: Around 37% of India’s geo-area is degraded due to waterlogging, salinity, chemical contamination, and nutrient depletion.
4. Inefficient Water Use: Micro-irrigation covers less than 10% of crop areas. However, it has proven successful, increasing fruit and vegetable yields by up to 52% in several states.
5. Small Farm Sizes: Most farmers operate on small plots (86% with two hectares or less), limiting their ability to use machines efficiently or achieve economies of scale.

What Should be Done?

1. Expand irrigation: Only 50% of India’s cropped area is irrigated. Groundwater over-extraction is a problem. Use rainwater harvesting and micro-irrigation to boost productivity, as seen in Gujarat’s 9.6% annual agricultural growth.
2. Improve water efficiency: Micro-irrigation, especially drip irrigation, can reduce water usage. A 2014 government study found that drip irrigation increased fruit and vegetable yields by 48% and farmer incomes by 48%.
3. Diversify crops: Shifting from cereal monocultures to diverse crops (poultry, fruits, vegetables) can revive soils, cut costs, raise yields, and increase profits. It aligns with changing dietary patterns and improves environmental sustainability.
4. Regenerate soils: 37% of India’s land is degraded. Shifting to diverse crops and agro-ecological farming can improve soil health and increase productivity.
5. Promote group farming: Kerala’s all-women group farming initiatives show success. Group farms have 1.8 times higher output per hectare and 1.6 times higher net returns compared to individual farms.
6. Use technology: Cell phones and drones can enhance farming by increasing yields and enabling pest control and monitoring, with a study showing a 4% yield increase through mobile-based information.

Question for practice:

Discuss how addressing ecological, technological, and institutional challenges in Indian agriculture can improve productivity and farmer incomes.