Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India's agricultural sector, employing over 45% of the total workforce and contributing around 18.3% to the country's Gross Value Added (GVA) as of 2023-24, is the bedrock of its rural economy and food security. However, it faces a complex interplay of contemporary physical and politico-economic changes that manifest differently across the diverse regions of the country. These changes pose significant challenges, from the existential threat of climate change to the structural shifts brought about by economic reforms, all of which necessitate adaptive strategies and targeted policy interventions to ensure the sector's resilience and sustainable growth.
I. Confronting Physical Changes
The physical landscape of Indian agriculture is undergoing profound transformations, primarily driven by climate change and environmental degradation. These impacts vary significantly across regions due to diverse agro-climatic conditions.
A. Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
- Rising Temperatures: Studies indicate that rising temperatures are reducing crop yields. For instance, a 2.5 to 4.9°C increase in temperature could decrease wheat yield by 41–52% and rice yield by 32–40% in India. Regions like Punjab and Haryana, major wheat and rice producers, are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, affecting grain size and weight.
- Erratic Rainfall Patterns: The monsoon, accounting for around 70% of India's annual rainfall, is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Regions heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, especially in the Deccan Plateau and parts of Rajasthan, experience frequent droughts or unseasonal heavy rainfall, leading to crop losses. The 2022 heatwave and 71% decrease in rainfall in March led to a 10-35% decrease in crop yields.
- Increased Frequency of Extreme Events: Floods, cyclones, and heatwaves are becoming more common and intense. Coastal regions (e.g., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh) are susceptible to cyclones, causing widespread damage to standing crops and agricultural infrastructure. Inland regions, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains, face severe heatwaves, impacting labor productivity and crop maturation.
- Water Scarcity and Groundwater Depletion: Intensive irrigation in states like Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh has led to alarming rates of groundwater depletion. Conversely, many arid and semi-arid regions struggle with chronic water scarcity, exacerbating the challenges of crop cultivation.
- Soil Degradation: Intensive monoculture and excessive use of chemical fertilizers, particularly in Green Revolution areas, have led to depleted micronutrients and organic matter in the soil, affecting long-term productivity and food security. Regions with fragile ecosystems, like the Himalayan foothills, face soil erosion challenges.
B. Regional Adaptations and Coping Mechanisms
- Crop Diversification: Farmers in climate-vulnerable regions are gradually shifting to more resilient crops (e.g., millets in drought-prone areas, horticulture in suitable pockets).
- Water Management: Adoption of micro-irrigation techniques (drip, sprinkler) in water-stressed regions, and community-based watershed management in rain-fed areas. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a key government initiative here.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promoting climate-smart agriculture practices, including the use of drought-resistant and flood-tolerant seed varieties, and agro-forestry.
- Early Warning Systems: Utilization of meteorological forecasts to guide sowing and harvesting decisions, though access to such information remains a challenge for many small and marginal farmers.
II. Navigating Politico-Economic Changes
The agricultural sector is also deeply impacted by evolving government policies, market dynamics, and global economic forces, creating diverse challenges and opportunities across regions.
A. Impact of Economic Reforms and Market Liberalization
- Post-1991 Reforms: Economic liberalization in India since 1991 led to trade liberalization and a reduction in agricultural subsidies. While it opened opportunities for export-led growth, it also exposed small farmers to global price volatility. Regions specializing in cash crops (e.g., cotton in Maharashtra, groundnut in Gujarat) have been particularly susceptible to international market fluctuations.
- Market Access and Infrastructure: Inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, storage facilities, and inefficient supply chains remain critical issues. Remote and tribal regions often suffer from poor market connectivity, leading to distress sales and exploitation by middlemen. The e-NAM platform aims to address this by creating a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
- Fragmented Land Holdings: Increasing demographic pressure has led to a decline in the average size of farm holdings, making modern mechanized farming difficult and reducing economies of scale. This issue is particularly acute in populous states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- Agricultural Credit and Indebtedness: Despite a surge in institutional credit to agriculture (₹25.10 lakh crore in 2023-24), regional disparities in lending persist. Farmers in less developed regions or those with smaller landholdings often rely on informal credit sources, leading to high indebtedness and agrarian distress. Farmer suicides, as seen in regions like Vidarbha (Maharashtra) and parts of Telangana, highlight this crisis.
B. Government Policies and Support Mechanisms
The government has introduced various schemes to mitigate the adverse impacts of these changes and support the agricultural sector across different regions.
| Policy/Scheme | Objective and Regional Impact |
|---|---|
| Minimum Support Price (MSP) | Aims to protect farmers from price fluctuations and ensure a remunerative price for their produce. Primarily benefits farmers in Green Revolution belt (Punjab, Haryana, Western UP) for wheat and rice. Lack of effective procurement for other crops and regions remains a challenge. |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) (2016) | Provides crop insurance against natural calamities, pests, and diseases. Crucial for risk management in all regions, especially those prone to extreme weather events. However, issues of timely claim settlement and awareness persist. |
| PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) (2019) | Provides direct income support (₹6,000 per year) to small and marginal farmer families. Offers a crucial financial safety net across all regions, particularly beneficial for vulnerable farmers. |
| Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) (2020) | Aims to develop post-harvest infrastructure and supply chains. Supports cold storage, warehouses, and processing units, benefiting regions with surplus produce and promoting value addition. Expanded in 2024 to include community farming assets. |
| National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) (2024) | Promotes sustainable, chemical-free agricultural practices. Addresses concerns about soil health and environmental degradation, with a focus on regions adopting organic and natural farming. |
C. Regional Disparities in Agricultural Development
- Green Revolution Imbalances: The initial benefits of the Green Revolution were largely concentrated in irrigated regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. This led to significant inter-state disparities in agricultural development.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Eastern and North-Eastern states, tribal belts, and rain-fed areas often lag in terms of irrigation, road connectivity, power supply, and access to technology, hindering their agricultural growth.
- Policy Implementation Gaps: The effectiveness of government schemes and credit availability varies across states, contributing to persistent regional imbalances. For instance, RBI noted regional disparities in agricultural lending despite record credit surges in 2023-24.
Conclusion
The Indian agricultural sector is continuously adapting to multifaceted physical and politico-economic changes, demonstrating both vulnerability and resilience. While climate change presents an unprecedented physical challenge demanding climate-smart practices and resource conservation, politico-economic shifts necessitate robust market mechanisms, improved credit access, and equitable policy implementation. Addressing regional disparities by focusing on tailored strategies for lagging areas, investing in rural infrastructure, and fostering sustainable farming will be crucial. A holistic approach, integrating technological advancements with farmer-centric policies, is essential to secure the livelihoods of millions and ensure long-term food and nutritional security for the nation.
Answer Length
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