Introduction:
Agriculture, along with its allied sectors, remains the primary source of livelihood in India, especially in rural areas, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.
Sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring food security, rural employment, and environmentally friendly approaches like soil conservation, resource management, and biodiversity protection, are essential for comprehensive rural development.
Body:
Agriculture as a growth engine: For agriculture to become a driver of growth, especially for the youth, India must overcome ecological, technological, and institutional challenges while enhancing linkages with allied sectors and fostering synergy with rural non-farm sectors.
Ecological Challenges:
Water scarcity and soil degradation are critical challenges. With only half of India’s cultivated land irrigated, groundwater over-extraction has led to severe depletion.
Example: Gujarat’s agricultural growth (9.6% annually from 1999-2009) showcases successful water management through widespread rainwater harvesting, creating microstructures like check dams and ponds, which increased productivity and enhanced groundwater recharge.
Irrigation Expansion:
The adoption of groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, and micro-irrigation techniques can revolutionize agricultural productivity.
Example: A government review (NMMI, 2014) found that micro-irrigation (especially drip systems) reduced irrigation costs and fertilizer use, while boosting yields by nearly 50%, increasing farmers’ incomes.
Soil Management:
Soil health issues such as salinity, waterlogging, and nutrient depletion affect nearly 37% of India’s agricultural land. Transitioning from monocultures to diversified crops and agro-ecological practices can revive soil health and improve profitability.
Example: Crop diversification into vegetables, poultry, and fruits will cater to changing dietary patterns while enhancing soil health and rural employment.
Technological Integration:
Technology can mitigate climate change effects, such as heat-tolerant crops and modern farming techniques.
Example: A 2019 study revealed that agricultural information delivered via mobile phones increased yields by 4% in India, while drones are emerging as new tools for precision farming and pest control.
Institutional Reforms:
With 86% of farmers owning less than two hectares of land, small farms face difficulties achieving economies of scale, accessing credit, and negotiating market prices. Group farming and cooperatives could address these challenges.
Example: Group farming initiatives have enabled smallholders to pool resources, invest in irrigation, and enhance productivity. This model has shown promising results in increasing yields and improving climate resilience.
Non-Farm Synergies:
Developing synergies between agriculture and non-farm sectors such as agro-processing, eco-tourism, and machine tools can elevate rural incomes.
Example: The non-farm sector already accounts for 61% of rural income, and expanding these linkages can create more employment opportunities.
Conclusion:
Group farming and federated arrangements, alongside technological and institutional innovations, hold the potential to transform smallholder agriculture, boost productivity, and increase incomes.
Allied sectors like livestock, fisheries, and forestry also offer significant employment and income generation opportunities.
Example: The fisheries sector grew by 10% in 2022-23, generating 28 million jobs, of which 44% were held by women, demonstrating the vast potential of allied sectors.