Agriculture Related Issues
Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy. Even today, more than 42% of the population is directly dependent on farming for their livelihood in India. Agriculture provides food, raw materials for industries, and employment to millions.
Despite its importance, Indian agriculture faces many challenges. Low productivity, dependence on the monsoon, small landholdings, and low income of farmers are persistent issues. That’s why agriculture-related problems are a major concern for policymakers, economists, and civil service aspirants.
This article explains the key issues in agriculture, their causes, government measures, and the way forward in simple language.
Importance of Agriculture in India
- Contributes around 18% of India’s GDP (2022-23).
- Provides employment to 40–45% of workforce.
- Supplies raw materials to industries like textiles, sugar, food processing.
- Helps in food security for a population of 1.4 billion.
- Plays a major role in exports (spices, rice, tea, cotton).
Major Issues in Indian Agriculture
1. Low Productivity
- Crop yields in India are lower compared to many countries.
- Example: Rice yield in India ≈ 2.7 tons/hectare vs China ≈ 6.7 tons/hectare.
- Causes:
- Small and fragmented landholdings.
- Traditional farming methods.
- Poor irrigation facilities.
2. Dependence on Monsoon
- Nearly 50% of cultivated land in India depends on rainfall.
- Irregular monsoons → droughts/floods → crop failure.
- Lack of irrigation infrastructure in rural areas.
3. Small and Fragmented Landholdings
- Average landholding size in India: 1.08 hectares (2015-16).
- This makes mechanisation and modern techniques difficult.
- Farmers often cannot generate enough income from such small plots.
4. Inadequate Irrigation Facilities
- Only about 50% of gross cropped area is irrigated.
- Rest is dependent on uncertain rainfall.
- Major irrigation projects face delays and mismanagement.
5. Credit and Indebtedness
- Many farmers depend on informal moneylenders charging high interest.
- Formal credit (banks, cooperatives) often doesn’t reach small farmers.
- This leads to farmers’ indebtedness and distress suicides.
6. Price Fluctuations and Market Issues
- Prices of agricultural products often fluctuate due to demand-supply mismatch.
- Farmers don’t get fair prices because of:
- Middlemen in mandis.
- Lack of storage facilities.
- Delayed payments under MSP system.
7. Low Farmer Income
- Government committee (2017) reported that average monthly income of a farmer household was ₹8,059 (NSSO survey).
- Expenses often exceed income → poverty and distress.
8. Post-Harvest Losses
- Nearly 15–20% of fruits and vegetables are wasted every year due to poor storage, transport, and cold-chain facilities.
- Lack of processing industries adds to wastage.
9. Soil Degradation and Overuse of Chemicals
- Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and groundwater extraction has degraded soil fertility.
- Soil erosion and desertification are rising issues.
10. Climate Change Impact
- Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts affect agricultural output.
- Example: Heatwaves in 2022 reduced India’s wheat production.
Data Snapshot of Agriculture in India
| Indicator | Value (Latest available) |
|---|---|
| Share in GDP (2022-23) | ~18% |
| Share in Employment | ~42% |
| Gross Cropped Area | ~198 million hectares |
| Net Irrigated Area | ~70 million hectares |
| Average Landholding | 1.08 ha |
| Foodgrain Production (2022-23) | 330 million tonnes |
| Post-harvest losses (fruits/vegetables) | 15–20% |
Government Measures to Address Agricultural Issues
1. Green Revolution (1960s-70s)
- Introduced High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanisation.
- Boosted wheat and rice production in Punjab, Haryana, and UP.
- But benefits limited to some crops and regions.
2. Minimum Support Price (MSP)
- Government announces MSP for 23 crops.
- Provides assured price to farmers.
- However, procurement is concentrated in wheat and rice.
3. PM-Kisan Scheme (2019)
- Direct cash transfer of ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers.
4. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (2016)
- Crop insurance against crop loss due to natural disasters.
5. Soil Health Card Scheme
- Provides farmers with soil testing results to promote balanced fertilizer use.
6. National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
- Promotes climate-resilient farming practices.
7. Agricultural Infrastructure Fund
- Financing support for cold storages, warehouses, and markets.
8. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)
- Online trading platform for transparent price discovery.
Challenges in Government Policies
- MSP benefits only a fraction of farmers.
- Crop diversification is slow (over-dependence on wheat & rice).
- Irrigation projects often delayed.
- Crop insurance coverage inadequate.
- Subsidy burden rising (fertilizer, food, electricity).
Way Forward
- Diversification of Crops
- Encourage farmers to grow pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture crops.
- Strengthening Irrigation
- Expand micro-irrigation (drip, sprinkler).
- Complete pending irrigation projects quickly.
- Reforms in APMC and Marketing
- Promote direct sale from farmers to consumers.
- Expand e-NAM coverage.
- Technology and Mechanisation
- Provide affordable farm machinery for small farmers.
- Use digital technology, AI, and drones in farming.
- Soil and Water Management
- Promote organic farming and natural farming.
- Strict control on groundwater overuse.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture
- Research new seed varieties that can withstand heat, drought, and floods.
- Improving Farmer Incomes
- Promote allied activities: dairy, fisheries, poultry.
- Support agro-based industries for value addition.
- Better Credit Access
- Increase institutional credit to farmers.
- Promote self-help groups and cooperatives.
Conclusion
Agriculture remains the lifeline of India, but farmers continue to face serious challenges. Low productivity, small landholdings, climate change, and low income are major concerns.
The government has introduced many reforms like MSP, PM-Kisan, soil health cards, and crop insurance, but more needs to be done. A long-term focus on diversification, irrigation, technology, and fair markets can transform Indian agriculture.
For India to achieve inclusive growth and food security, addressing agriculture-related issues is not just important but essential. Farmers must move from “survival farming” to prosperous and sustainable farming.
