Green Revolution 2.0: Empowering the Modern Indian Farmer

10 Jun Green Revolution 2.0: Empowering the Modern Indian Farmer

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”  and the Topic Green Revolution 2.0: Empowering the Modern Indian Farmer.

SYLLABUS MAPPING: 

GS-3-Economics- Green Revolution 2.0: Empowering the Modern Indian Farmer

FOR PRELIMS

What is the importance of agriculture in the Indian economy?

FOR MAINS

What are the challenges in growing crops in India?

Why in the News? 

Agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy and cultural identity, sustaining millions. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past eleven years, India’s agricultural landscape has witnessed transformational reforms guided by the philosophy of “Beej Se Bazaar Tak” (Seed to Market). This transformation is in the news due to its inclusive approach—prioritizing small and marginal farmers, women-led SHGs, and allied sectors like dairy and fisheries—and positioning India as a rising global agricultural power.

Recent Government Data on Indian Agriculture (2024–25)

Relevance of indian agriculture in the indian economy 

1. Major Source of Livelihood: Agriculture provides direct and indirect employment to over 50% of India’s workforce, especially in rural areas.
2. Contribution to GDP: Although its share in GDP has declined, agriculture still contributes around 15–18% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA).
3. Food Security Backbone: Agriculture ensures national food security by producing essential foodgrains like rice, wheat, and pulses for the 1.4+ billion population.
4. Raw Material Provider: It supplies vital raw materials to major industries like textiles (cotton), sugar (sugarcane), food processing, and agrochemicals.
5. Export Earnings: India is a leading global exporter of rice, spices, cotton, tea, and marine products. Agri-exports were worth over $50 billion in 2022–23.
6. Rural Development Engine: Agriculture drives rural demand, infrastructure, credit flow, and supports allied sectors like animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.
7. Employment for Women: A significant portion of the female workforce in rural India is engaged in agricultural activities, especially in post-harvest and small-scale farming.
8. Support to MSMEs: Many Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) rely on agriculture for inputs and operate in agri-value chains.
9. Buffer Against Economic Shocks: During crises like COVID-19, agriculture showed resilience, recording positive growth when other sectors contracted.

Govt policies to improve indian agriculture

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Provides ₹6,000 per year in three installments to all landholding farmers as direct income support.
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Offers crop insurance against natural calamities, pests, and diseases at low premium rates, ensuring risk coverage.
3. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Aims for “Har Khet Ko Pani” by promoting micro-irrigation and efficient water use in agriculture.
4. e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM): An online trading platform to ensure transparent and competitive price discovery across more than 1300 mandis.
5. Soil Health Card Scheme: Provides farmers with soil quality assessments and crop-specific fertiliser recommendations to promote balanced nutrient management.
6. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A ₹1 lakh crore fund to support the creation of post-harvest infrastructure like cold chains, warehouses, and processing units.
7. Minimum Support Price (MSP) Policy: Ensures remunerative prices for farmers by guaranteeing MSP for 23 crops and procurement through FCI and other agencies.
8. Support for Agri Startups & Innovation (e.g., Namo Drone Didi, AgriSURE): Promotes technology adoption through AI, drones, and digital tools to make farming more precise, data-driven, and productive.

What are the issues in Indian Agriculture? 

1. Fragmented and Small Landholdings: Over 85% of farmers are small and marginal with less than 2 hectares, leading to low productivity and poor economies of scale.
2. Dependence on Monsoons and Poor Irrigation: Nearly 50% of agricultural land still depends on rainfall; erratic monsoons lead to crop failures and distress.
3. Low Productivity and Yield: India’s crop yields are lower than global averages, especially in pulses and oilseeds, due to outdated practices and inputs.
4. Inadequate Infrastructure: Lack of cold storage, warehousing, rural roads, and processing units causes high post-harvest losses (up to 20-30%).
5. Market Inefficiencies and Price Volatility: Farmers often face distress sales due to lack of market access and price discovery; MSP coverage is uneven across crops and regions.
6. High Input Costs and Debt Burden: Rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, and diesel with low returns push many farmers into debt traps.
7. Limited Access to Credit and Insurance: Formal credit access is limited; despite PMFBY, many farmers remain uninsured or underinsured due to procedural hurdles.
8. Climate Change and Environmental Stress: Increasing frequency of droughts, floods, heatwaves, and declining soil health are reducing productivity and increasing risk.

way forward 

1. Land Consolidation and Reforms: Promote cooperative and group farming models to overcome fragmentation and improve productivity.
2. Expansion of Irrigation Infrastructure: Speed up implementation of PMKSY and adopt micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) to ensure water-use efficiency.
3. Promotion of Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Encourage crop diversification, agroforestry, and resilient seed varieties to mitigate climate change impacts.
4. Strengthening Agri Infrastructure: Invest in cold chains, warehouses, rural roads, and food processing units under schemes like AIF and PMFME.
5. Market Reforms and eNAM Integration: Ensure better price realisation through expanded MSP coverage, eNAM linkage, and removal of APMC barriers.
6. Boosting Agri-Tech and Innovation: Promote the use of drones, AI, precision farming, and startups via schemes like the Digital Agriculture Mission and AgriSURE.
7. Improving Institutional Credit and Insurance: Expand KCC access and strengthen PMFBY with faster claim settlement and better coverage.
8. Enhancing Farmer Income and Welfare: Ensure timely DBT under PM-KISAN, skill development, and promotion of allied sectors like dairy and fisheries.

Conclusion 

Indian agriculture remains the cornerstone of the nation’s socio-economic fabric, ensuring food security, employment, and rural livelihoods. Despite persistent structural challenges such as low productivity, climate risks, and market inefficiencies, the sector has shown resilience and growth, especially in recent years. Government initiatives like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, AIF, and digital innovations have started reshaping the landscape toward a more inclusive, tech-driven, and market-oriented system. Going forward, a holistic and sustainable approach—focused on farmer welfare, infrastructure, and climate-smart practices—is essential to make Indian agriculture globally competitive, resilient, and profitable for every farmer.

Prelims Questions

Q.  With reference to Indian agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides interest subvention for setting up post-harvest management infrastructure.
2. The PM-KISAN scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. India is the world’s largest producer of pulses, milk, and spices.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a). 1 and 2 only
(b). 2 and 3 only
(c). 1, 2 and 3
(d). 1 only

Answer: C

Mains Questions

Q. Despite sustained efforts and reforms, Indian agriculture continues to face structural challenges. Discuss the major issues confronting the sector and suggest a way forward to make it more resilient, profitable, and sustainable

                                                                                                                                                         (250 words, 15 marks)