Agriculture Development in India

Before Independence

• Agricultural Economy: Predominantly subsistence with limited productivity.
• Challenges: Severe droughts and famines characterized the early 20th century, resulting in poor agricultural performance.

During Partition

• Impact: Partition led to the loss of about one-third of the irrigated land to Pakistan, reducing the proportion of irrigated land in India. This loss exacerbated the challenges facing Indian agriculture.

After Independence

Immediate Post-Independence Goals:

• Focus: Increase food grain production through:
  • Shifting from cash crops to food crops.
  • Intensifying cropping on existing land.
  • Expanding cultivated area by bringing fallow and cultivable land into production.
• Initial Success: These strategies initially boosted food grain production, but growth stagnated by the late 1950s.

The Green Revolution:

• Crisis and Response:
  • Droughts: Two consecutive droughts in the mid-1960s led to a food crisis, forcing India to import food grains.
  • New Varieties: Introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat from Mexico and rice from the Philippines.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Package Technology: Implementation of HYVs, chemical fertilizers, and improved irrigation practices primarily in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
  • Outcome: The Green Revolution significantly increased food grain production, making India self-reliant in food grains and boosting the development of agro-inputs, agro-processing industries, and small-scale industries.
• Regional Disparities:
  • Initial Limitation: The Green Revolution initially benefited irrigated areas, leading to regional disparities.
  • Expansion: By the 1970s, the technology spread to Eastern and Central India.

Focus on Rainfed Areas:

• Planning Commission:-
  • 1980s: Attention shifted to agriculture in rainfed areas.
  • 1988: Initiated Agro-climatic planning to promote regionally balanced agricultural development.
  • Diversification: Emphasis on diversification into dairy farming, poultry, horticulture, livestock rearing, and aquaculture.

Liberalization and Market Economy:

• 1990s: Introduction of liberalization and a free market economy influenced agricultural development, promoting further growth and efficiency in the sector.

Growth of Agricultural Output and Technology

Increased Output:

• Major Crops: There have been significant increases in the production and yield of rice and wheat.Other crops like sugarcane, oilseeds, and cotton also saw notable growth.

Expansion of Irrigation:

• Role: Crucial in enhancing agricultural productivity by supporting modern agricultural technologies.
• Achievements: Increased net irrigated area, facilitating the spread of high-yielding varieties, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and modern farm machinery.

Technological Diffusion:

• Fertilizers: Consumption increased by 15 times since the mid-1960s.
• Pesticides: Significant rise due to the increased susceptibility of HYVs to pests and diseases.

Problems of Indian Agriculture

Indian agriculture faces a range of issues, influenced by diverse agro-ecological conditions and historical factors. These problems include physical constraints, institutional challenges, and socio-economic issues.

Dependence on Erratic Monsoon

• Irrigation Coverage: Only about 33% of cultivated land is irrigated, leaving the majority reliant on rainfall.
• Monsoon Variability: Poor performance of the southwest monsoon impacts irrigation supplies and crop yields. Even regions with high rainfall experience significant fluctuations.
• Drought and Floods: Frequent droughts in low rainfall areas and occasional floods contribute to agricultural instability.

Low Productivity

• Comparison with International Standards: Crop yields in India are generally lower than those in countries like the U.S., Russia, and Japan.
• Rainfed Areas: Productivity is particularly low in rainfed regions, where coarse cereals, pulses, and oilseeds are predominantly grown.
• Labour Productivity: The agricultural sector suffers from low labor productivity due to high pressure on land resources.

Constraints of Financial Resources and Indebtedness

• High Costs: Modern agricultural inputs are expensive, making them unaffordable for many marginal and small farmers.
• Indebtedness: To manage costs, many farmers borrow from institutions or moneylenders, leading to a cycle of debt due to crop failures and low returns.

Lack of Land Reforms

• Historical Exploitation: The British-era land revenue systems, particularly Zamindari, were exploitative.
• Post-Independence Reforms: Although land reforms were prioritized after Independence, they were poorly implemented due to inadequate political will.

Small Farm Size and Fragmentation of Landholdings

• Smallholdings: The average farm size is shrinking due to population pressure. Many states have not yet carried out land consolidation.
• Uneconomic Holdings: Small and fragmented landholdings are often uneconomical, hindering efficient agricultural practices.

Lack of Commercialisation

• Self-Consumption: Many farmers produce mainly for self-consumption and lack resources to produce surplus for the market.
• Modernisation: Commercialisation and modernisation are primarily confined to irrigated areas.

Vast Underemployment

• Seasonal Unemployment: Significant underemployment exists, especially in unirrigated areas, with seasonal unemployment ranging from 4 to 8 months.
• Limited Work: Even during cropping seasons, work is not always available due to the non-labor-intensive nature of many agricultural operations.

Degradation of Cultivable Land

• Faulty Irrigation Practices: Problems such as soil fertility depletion, alkalisation, salinisation, and waterlogging are prevalent, particularly in irrigated areas.
• Chemical Use: Excessive use of chemicals like insecticides and pesticides has led to soil toxicity.
• Soil Erosion: Rainfed areas face soil erosion issues, exacerbated by human activities such as deforestation and improper land use.