Challenges to Indian Agriculture and Possible Remedies

India is an agricultural economy, with farming being a major contributor to the GDP. India’s economy depends heavily on agriculture, which plays a big role in the country’s GDP. In 2022, the World Bank reported that over 42.86% of India's population depended on agriculture for their livelihood.  India has achieved self-sufficiency in food grain production, driving strong economic growth. 

The country benefits from having the world's largest arable (farmable) land area (53.8% of 179.8 million hectares) and diverse climatic conditions that support various crops.

After independence, India prioritized agricultural growth to ensure food security (to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains). The government introduced policies and investments in irrigation, fertilizers, land reforms, and community development. 

The Green Revolution in the 1960s led to a major boost in food production. Encouraged by this success, successive governments launched several initiatives to further improve the agricultural sector.

However, Indian agriculture still faces serious challenges, including farmer suicides, rural-to-urban migration, and increasing farmer debt.

Challenges to Indian Agriculture

Some of the challenges faced by Indian agriculture are listed below

1. Fragmented Land Holdings:

Most farms in India are small and fragmented. According to the 2015-16 Agriculture Census, small and marginal farmers (owning less than 2 hectares) account for 86.2% of total farm holdings. This Fragmentation makes farming inefficient, unprofitable, and difficult to mechanize. (, as small plots are uneconomical to cultivate and difficult to mechanize.)

2. Dependence on Monsoons:

More than 50% of India's farmland lacks irrigation facilities , making agriculture heavily reliant (depends) on unpredictable monsoon rains.  irregular rainfall patterns due to climate change often lead to droughts or floods, negatively (severely) impacting crop production and farmer incomes.

3. Depletion of Natural Resources:

Unsustainable farming practices, such as excessive (Over) use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have caused soil degradation, water depletion (reduced water availability), and biodiversity loss. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India loses 5.3 million hectares of farmland (agricultural land) annually due to soil erosion and degradation.

4. Lack of Mechanization:

Indian agriculture is still largely dependent on manual labor. This results in low productivity, high labor costs, and physical strain on farmers. Despite government schemes like the 'Mechanization Promotion Scheme', slow progress is due to high equipment costs and limited credit access.

5. Market Issues and Price Volatility:

Agricultural markets are fragmented, with multiple intermediaries (middlemen) leading to price manipulation and exploitation of farmers. Farmers suffer from unstable prices, especially for perishable goods, leading to income insecurity. (Price volatility, especially for perishable goods, further destabilizes farmer incomes.)

6. Post-Harvest Losses:

Poor storage facilities, weak transport networks, and inefficiencies in the value chain cause significant post-harvest losses and cause massive post-harvest losses. Losses are estimated at 30-40% for fruits and vegetables and 10% for grains, increasing food waste and reducing farmer earnings.

7. Limited Credit and Insurance Access:

Small and marginal farmers struggle to get bank loans and insurance due to lack of collateral and financial literacy. This restricts their ability to invest in better inputs and modern techniques.

8. Minimum Support Price (MSP) Issues:

• Not all farmers benefit from MSP. The MSP scheme does not benefit all farmers or cover all crops evenly. 

• Implementation is weak in regions like the Northeast, and MSP increases often do not match rising production costs.

Government Initiatives to Support Agriculture

Recognizing these challenges, the government has launched several programs to improve seed quality, irrigation, credit, insurance, and market access. Key initiatives include:

1. National Food Security Mission (NFSM):

It focuses on improving rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereal production through hybrid seeds, soil management, water efficiency (use), and farm mechanization.

2. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):

Supports (provides) high-quality seed distribution and advanced farming techniques for fruits, vegetables, spices, dry fruits, flowers, and plantation crops.

3. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):

This aims to make agriculture more sustainable and productive. (more productive and eco-friendly.)

4. National Agriculture Market (E-NAM):

An online platform that allows farmers to trade crops efficiently, ensuring better prices and transparency.

(An online platform for trading agricultural commodities, helping farmers get better prices and streamline marketing.)

5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY):

Focuses on efficient irrigation with the motto (slogan) "Har Khet Ko Paani" (Water for Every Field). It includes micro-irrigation techniques to improve water use efficiency with the 'Per Drop, More Crop' approach.)

(Aims to improve irrigation with the slogan 'Har Khet Ko Paani' (Water for Every Field). Promotes micro-irrigation with the 'Per Drop, More Crop' approach.)

6. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

Provides low-cost crop insurance to protect farmers from financial loss due to natural disasters . Premiums are 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for horticulture crops.

7. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY):

Launched in 2019, it provides a pension of ₹3,000 per month for small and marginal farmers after they reach 60 years of age. (they turn 60 year.)

8. Mega Food Park Scheme:

Aims to link agricultural production to markets by creating infrastructure in rural areas, benefiting farmers, processors, and retailers.

(Aims to link farmers, processors, and retailers to improve incomes and create modern infrastructure for agricultural trade.)

Farmer Reforms

Agricultural reforms have been widely debated, particularly after the passage of three farm laws in 2020. These laws sparked nationwide protests as farmers feared corporate exploitation, loss of MSP, and weakening of the agricultural marketing structure.

In response to the protests, the government repealed the laws in 2021 and promised to set up a panel to ensure fair crop prices. However, farmers remain dissatisfied, demanding legally guaranteed MSP, debt waivers, and income protection. In 2024, thousands of farmers from Punjab launched a 'Delhi Chalo' protest, demanding that the government honor its promise of doubling farmer incomes.

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Indian agriculture is a way of life, a culture for a significant population of India."  The Indian Government has left no stone unturned in pursuance of doubling the farmer's income, From increasing MSP prices to introducing crop insurance and promoting private investment through initiatives like the Agricultural Export Zone (AEZ).

(The Indian government is committed to improving farmer incomes through MSP hikes, crop insurance, and private investment in agriculture.)

With a growing population and rising middle-class, agriculture remains (holds the) key to India's economic growth and inclusive development.