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14/08/2023
The agricultural sector stands as a pivotal pillar in the Indian economy, serving as a livelihood for nearly 60% of the country's total population and contributing approximately 18% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Yet, the nation's farmers are grappling with a multitude of challenges that exert direct and indirect impacts on their lives. From navigating the intricacies of input procurement to grappling with marketing and post-harvest processes, farmers find themselves contending with a host of obstacles that often remain unnoticed. This article delves into the major predicaments faced by Indian farmers, elucidating their far-reaching consequences and the need for comprehensive solutions.
Subdivision of Land Holdings Hindering Prosperity
A notable characteristic of Indian agriculture is the prevalence of small and fragmented land holdings. This fragmentation hampers the competitiveness of farmers in the industry. The 10th Agricultural Census in 2015-16 unveiled that India's operational land holding totaled 146.45 million hectares, with marginal and small operational holdings (0 – 2 ha) constituting a significant 86.2% of the total. This land division adversely affects income generation due to limitations in mechanization, the perpetuation of outdated monocropping practices, and soil quality degradation. The root cause of this issue traces back to inheritance laws.
Struggles with Marketing and Storage Infrastructure
Farmers face daunting challenges in agricultural marketing, including transportation costs, insufficient market infrastructure, price instability, and a lack of accurate market information. Concurrently, inadequate storage facilities in rural areas perpetuate post-harvest losses, resulting in the wastage of nearly 16% of fruits and vegetables, 10% of oilseeds, 9% of pulses, and 6% of cereals annually. The absence of proper storage forces farmers to sell their produce hastily post-harvest, often at lowered prices, diminishing their income. Additionally, this deficiency complicates meeting consumer demand during off-seasons.
Lagging Adoption of Mechanization
Despite advancements in mechanization, a substantial portion of agricultural operations in India still relies on manual labor. Notably, ploughing, harvesting, threshing, and irrigation are mechanized to the extent of 60-70%. Yet, small land holdings inhibit wider mechanization adoption. Limited awareness among rural farmers and financial constraints further hinder progress in this area.
The availability of timely, low-cost credit from financial institutions is pivotal in agriculture, especially for marginal and small farmers. Capital is a cornerstone input for boosting agricultural productivity. Limited credit access results in constrained investments in advanced technologies, machinery, and equipment, consequently affecting both productivity and produce quality. Although government policies aim to improve agricultural credit, regional imbalances in distribution remain persistent.
Irrigation Woes Amplified by Water Depletion
Approximately 80% of India's water consumption is directed towards agricultural irrigation. Over-exploitation of groundwater resources has led to declining water tables, undermining effective irrigation practices. Insufficient irrigation facilities force a dependence on rainfed agriculture, which encompasses 51% of the net sown area in the country. While micro-irrigation methods show promise, their adoption is limited by financial constraints, with only 18.8% of net irrigated area employing such techniques.
Soil Fertility depletion by the use of Unbalanced Fertilizer
Excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers post the Green Revolution has resulted in soil fertility depletion. Imbalanced use of urea, which accounts for over half of total fertilizer production and consumption, diminishes soil quality over time. The prevalence of monocropping practices and continuous cultivation exacerbates soil degradation.
Limited Crop Insurance Access
Farmers encounter challenges in accessing crop insurance due to insufficient awareness, evaluation issues, inadequate coverage, and delayed claims settlement.
Climate Change's Resounding Impact
The escalating impacts of climate change, manifested through extreme weather events and altered weather patterns, pose grave threats to agriculture. Altered soil fertility, disrupted crop yields, and increased pest incidents diminish productivity and income, compelling farmers to invest more in pest and disease management practices.
Price Volatility's Devastating Effect
Price fluctuations destabilize farmers' livelihoods, disproportionately impacting small farmers. Income instability hampers planning and investment, exacerbating the cycle of poverty and low productivity.
Shortcomings in Training and Extension Services
A lack of comprehensive agricultural extension programs limits farmers' access to modern practices, hindering yield potential and making them susceptible to pest and disease outbreaks.
Lesser Government Investment in R&D
Inadequate government spending on research and development curbs access to advanced technologies and practices, weakening productivity and market competitiveness.
Conclusion: Paving the Way for Agricultural Resilience
India's agriculture sector, predominantly composed of small and marginal farmers, grapples with a myriad of challenges. To surmount these hurdles, a concerted effort is required, including the adoption of sustainable practices, enhanced extension services, and equitable distribution of resources. By fostering collaboration between farmers, governmental bodies, and financial institutions, it is possible to alleviate the challenges plaguing Indian agriculture and pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous farming future.
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