Characteristics of Indian Agriculture

<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/agriculture/”>agriculture in India plays a pivotal role in providing livelihood, ensuring Food Security, reducing POVERTY and sustaining Growth.

Main Characteristics of Indian Agriculture are:-

Subsistent in Character
Heavy Pressure of Population
Predominance of Food Grains
Mixed Cropping
High Percentage of the Reporting Area under Cultivation
Small Size of Holdings and Fragmentation of Fields
Limited Intensive Agriculture
Primitive Technology
Indian Agriculture is Labour Intensive
Rain-fed Agriculture
Less Area under Leguminous and Fodder Crops
Tradition Bound
Low Productivity
Government Policy
Lack of Definite Agricultural Land Use Policy
Lack of Marketing and Storage Facilities
Low Status of Agriculture in the Society
Land Tenancy
Poverty and Indebtedness of the Farmers
Inadequacy of Extension Service
Inadequate Agricultural Research and Education, Training, and Extension
Soil Erosion and Soil Degradation
Other Characteristics and Problems

Overview of Agriculture Sector in India

Agriculture & GVA: India is witnessing a general decline in share of agriculture in Gross Value Added (GVA). However, growth rate of agriculture & allied sectors have been fluctuating at 1.5% in 2012-13 to (-)0.2% in 2014-15 to 4.9% in 2016-17 primarily due to fact that more than 50% of Agriculture In India is rainfall dependent and private Investment has declined.

Crop Production: There is an overall increase in food production on account of good rainfall during 2016-17 and policy initiatives taken by government.

Structural changes in sector: A gradual shift can be seen in Indian Agriculture sector, where the share of Livestock in GVA has increased and share of Crop sector has declined.This also coincided with the change in sources of income of farm households.

Feminisation of Agriculture: Role of Women as cultivators, entrepreneurs, and labourers has increased with growing rural to urban Migration by men. According to Census 2011, out of total female main workers, 55% were agricultural labourers and 24% were cultivators. However, there is a gender disparity in ownership of landholding in agriculture (only 12.8% owned by women) along with concentration of operational holdings (25.7 per cent) by women in the marginal and small holdings categories.

Cropping pattern: India has highest net cropland area (NCA) with 179.8 Mha (9.6% of global NCA). However, according to Index of Crop Diversification, there is a declining inter-temporal behavior in crop diversification among most of States (exception being Himachal Pradesh & Jharkhand). This Monoculture practices has been the reason for declining productivity, lower response to fertilizer, degradation of soil Health and declining profitability of cultivation.

Input Management in Agriculture:

A sustainable use of inputs like Irrigation, seeds, fertilizer, credit, machines, extension Services etc. helps in improving the productivity without losing Soil fertility and causing environmental damages. However, lack of educational level of farmers had impacted their capacity to adopt and inculcate new methods of cultivation and input management.

✓ Irrigation: Only 34.5% of total cropped area is irrigated in India. To improve irrigation facility Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched by government.

✓ Agriculture Mechanization: As 50% of Indian population would be urban by the year 2050 (World Bank), It is estimated that percentage of agricultural workers of total work force would drop to 25.7% by 2050 from 58.2% in 2001. Thus, there is a need to cater the increasing food security need by enhancing the level of farm mechanization in the country which has the potential to increase productivity up to 30% and reduce the cost of cultivation up to 20%.

Crop Insurance and crop loss:

According to the NSSO Report (July 2012 – June 2013), very small share of agricultural households engaged in crop production activities was insuring their crops. Government initiated PMFBY which provides comprehensive coverage of risks from pre-sowing to post harvest against natural nonpreventable risks.

Agriculture credit and marketing Initiatives

Credit is a critical input in achieving high productivity and overall production in the agricultural sector. Institutional Credit helps in delinking the farmers from noninstitutional sources of credit, and increases Financial Inclusion.
Marketing reform has been undertaken to benefit farmers from remunerative prices for their produce in the market like electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM).

Agriculture Research and Development

It is the main source of innovation, which is needed to sustain agricultural productivity growth in the long-term.
There has been an increasing allocation for it which is manifested in development of a total 209 new varieties/hybrids for Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Commercial and Forage Crops, tolerant to various biotic and abiotic stresses with enhanced quality.

SCHEMES

PM FASAL BIMA YOJANA

It replaced all other existing insurance schemes except the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (uses weather parameters as proxy for crop yield in compensating the cultivators for deemed crop loses)
A uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif Crops and 1.5% for all Rabi Crops.
In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%.
There is no upper limit on Government subsidy so farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.
The difference between the premium paid by farmers and the actuarial premium charged was paid by the Centre and State Government in the ratio of 50:50.
It is compulsory for loanee farmers availing crop loans for notified crops in notified areas and voluntary for nonloanee farmers.
Yield Losses: due to non-preventable risks, such as Natural Fire and Lightning, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado. Risks due to Flood, Inundation and Landslide, Drought, Dry spells, Pests/ Diseases also will be covered.
Post-harvest losses are also covered.
Mandatory use of technology: Smart phones, drones etc., will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments.

PRADHAN MANTRI KRISHI SINCHAYEE YOJANA

Decentralized State level planning and projectised execution’ structure, in order to allow States to draw up a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP). These plans need to be prepared in order to access PMKSY fund.

It will be supervised and monitored by Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under PM with Union Ministers of all concerned Ministries. A National Executive Committee (NEC) is to be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to oversee programme implementation.
PMKSY has been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP); Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP); and On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).

Water BUDGETING is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
Investments will happen at farm level. So, farmers know what is happening and can provide valuable feedback.
Recently, Long Term Irrigation Fund has been instituted under PMKSY in NABARD for funding and fast tracking the implementation of incomplete major and medium irrigation projects.

SEED Industry

India is the fifth largest seed market across the globe.
It is expected to grow at more than 15% during 2017–2022, and can reach a value of more than US$ 7 Billion by 2022.
The seed market is majorly contributed by non-vegetable seeds such as corn, Cotton, paddy, wheat, sorghum, sunflower and Millets.
Direct contribution of quality seed to the total production can be raised up to 45% with efficient management of other inputs.

Silk industry (Sericulture) in India

India is the second largest producer of silk in the world. It provides EMPLOYMENT to over 8.25million people in the country.
There are four major types of silk produced in India: Mulberry, Tasar, Muga, Eri of which Mulberry accounts for 70% of total raw silk production.
India currently produces all four variety of silk – mulberry, eri, muga and tassar. The silk production is mostly prevalent in Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Major Export destination of Indian Silk exports are USA and UAE followed by UK, France, Italy and Germany. Mostly natural silk yarns, fabrics, made-ups, readymade garments, silk carpets and silk waste are exported.
For growth and development of the silk industry Indian Silk Export Promotion Council has also been set up. It organises trade shows and fairs across the world to promote trade with different countries. The council also facilitates meetings between exporters and potential customers.
India’s north eastern region has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk contributes about 21% of the total silk production in the country

Sugar Industry in India

The Money would be credited directly into the bank accounts of farmers, who haven’t received the “Fair and Remunerative Price” (FRP) for sugarcane fixed by the Centre.
The Centre’s Sugarcane (Control) Order mandates mills to pay the FRP within 14 days of cane purchase from farmers, failing which 15% annual interest is charged on the due amount for the period of delay. Considering the large cane price arrear dues to farmers the mills say they cannot pay farmers beyond 75% of their realisations from sugar and thus the amount sanctioned by government is grossly inadequate.
The populist increases in SAP recent years has resulted in excessive production of sugarcane, estimated at 295.07 lakh tone thus triggering a glut of supply of sugar which reached an all-time high of 29.98 million tonne.
Further considering the high cost of production of sugar (partly due to high cane prices in India) in other countries the export prices of sugar are much lower than from domestic sales.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing more than 50% of the country’s workforce. It is also a major contributor to the country’s GDP. However, Indian agriculture is facing a number of challenges, including land degradation, water scarcity, and Climate change.

Land use in India is highly skewed, with a small number of large landowners controlling most of the land. This has led to a situation where a large number of small farmers are unable to make a living from agriculture.

The cropping pattern in India is also highly diversified, with a large number of crops being grown. This makes it difficult for farmers to adopt new technologies and practices.

Irrigation is a major challenge in India, as only about 40% of the country’s land is irrigated. This means that a large number of farmers are dependent on rainfall for their crops.

Fertilizers are used extensively in Indian agriculture, but their overuse has led to soil degradation. Pesticides are also used extensively, but they have a negative impact on the Environment and human health.

Farm mechanization is not very widespread in India, as most farmers are small and cannot afford to invest in machinery. This has led to low productivity and high labor costs.

Agricultural research is underfunded in India, and this has hampered the development of new technologies and practices. Agricultural extension is also weak, and this has made it difficult for farmers to adopt new technologies and practices.

Agricultural Marketing is also a challenge in India, as there is a lack of Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and a fragmented market. This has led to low prices for farmers and high prices for consumers.

Agricultural finance is also a challenge in India, as farmers have limited access to credit. This has made it difficult for them to invest in new technologies and practices.

Agricultural education is not very widespread in India, and this has led to a shortage of skilled labor in the agricultural sector. Agricultural labor is also poorly paid, and this has led to a decline in the number of people engaged in agriculture.

Agricultural cooperatives are not very strong in India, and this has hampered the development of the agricultural sector. Agricultural policy is also not very supportive of farmers, and this has made it difficult for them to make a living from agriculture.

Agricultural trade is also a challenge in India, as the country faces high tariffs on its exports. This has made it difficult for Indian farmers to compete in the global market.

Agricultural sustainability is a major challenge in India, as the country is facing a number of environmental problems, including land degradation, water scarcity, and Climate Change. These problems are threatening the future of agriculture in India.

In order to address these challenges, the Indian government needs to take a number of steps, including:

Land reforms to ensure that land is more equitably distributed.
Diversification of the cropping pattern to reduce the risk of crop failure.
Increased investment in irrigation infrastructure.
Reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Promotion of farm mechanization.
Strengthening of agricultural research and extension.
Improvement of agricultural marketing infrastructure.
Increased access to credit for farmers.
Promotion of agricultural education.
Strengthening of agricultural cooperatives.
Reform of agricultural policy.
Reduction of tariffs on agricultural exports.
Promotion of sustainable agriculture practices.

These steps will help to make Indian agriculture more productive, efficient, and sustainable.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Indian agriculture:

What are the main characteristics of Indian agriculture?

Indian agriculture is characterized by its small size, low productivity, and high dependence on rainfall. The Average farm size in India is just 1.5 hectares, and most farmers are subsistence farmers who produce just enough food to feed their families. Productivity is low due to a number of factors, including poor irrigation, outdated technology, and lack of access to credit. Rainfall is also a major factor in Indian agriculture, as most crops are rain-fed. This makes farmers vulnerable to droughts and floods, which can have devastating consequences.

What are the main challenges facing Indian agriculture?

The main challenges facing Indian agriculture are low productivity, high dependence on rainfall, and rural poverty. Low productivity is a major problem, as it means that farmers are not able to produce enough food to meet the needs of the growing population. This has led to food imports and high food prices. High dependence on rainfall is another major challenge, as it makes farmers vulnerable to droughts and floods. Rural poverty is also a major challenge, as many farmers are unable to make a living from agriculture.

What are the main government initiatives to support Indian agriculture?

The Indian government has implemented a number of initiatives to support agriculture, including the Green Revolution, the National Food Security Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. The Green Revolution was a major agricultural development program that began in the 1960s. It focused on increasing agricultural productivity through the use of high-yield varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. The National Food Security Mission is a government program that aims to ensure food security for all Indians. It provides subsidies for food grains, pulses, and oilseeds. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is a government program that aims to improve irrigation facilities in India. It provides financial assistance to farmers for the construction of irrigation wells, canals, and other water-related infrastructure.

What are the future prospects for Indian agriculture?

The future prospects for Indian agriculture are mixed. On the one hand, there is the potential for growth due to the increasing population and demand for food. On the other hand, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed, such as low productivity, high dependence on rainfall, and rural poverty. The government has taken some steps to address these challenges, but more needs to be done.

Here are some MCQs about Indian agriculture:

Which of the following is not a major crop grown in India?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Cotton
(D) Tea
Which of the following is the main source of irrigation in India?
(A) Canals
(B) Wells
(C) Tanks
(D) Tube wells
Which of the following is the main type of farming in India?
(A) Subsistence farming
(B) Commercial farming
(C) Plantation farming
(D) Mixed Farming
Which of the following is the main livestock raised in India?
(A) Cattle
(B) Buffalo
(C) Sheep
(D) Goats
Which of the following is the main agricultural problem in India?
(A) Low productivity
(B) Lack of irrigation
(C) Small landholdings
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the main agricultural policy of the Indian government?
(A) Green Revolution
(B) White Revolution
(C) Blue Revolution
(D) Yellow Revolution
Which of the following is the main agricultural export of India?
(A) Rice
(B) Wheat
(C) Cotton
(D) Tea
Which of the following is the main agricultural import of India?
(A) Fertilizers
(B) Pesticides
(C) Machinery
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the main agricultural organization in India?
(A) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(B) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(C) The Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the main agricultural university in India?
(A) The Indian Agricultural Research Institute
(B) The Punjab Agricultural University
(C) The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
(D) All of the above