Indian Agriculture 2047
Context:
Recently, the “Indian Agriculture to 2047” report was released by the ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP).
Key Highlights of the Report:
- The report highlights the changes that have happened in India’s agri-food system since independence and suggests a roadmap for sustainable transformation.
- Food Security Achieved: India transitioned from a food-insecure to a food-surplus nation due to the Green Revolution, MSP regime, and input subsidies.
- Declining Economic Share: Agriculture’s contribution to national income fell from 43% (1960s) to 18%, while the workforce in agriculture only declined from 74% to 46%, indicating a slow structural shift.
- Land Fragmentation: Share of marginal landholdings (≤1 ha) rose from 51% to 68%, and average farm size dropped from 2.28 ha to 1.08 ha.
- Diversification of GVA: By 2022–23, animal husbandry contributed 31% and fisheries 7% to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA).
Recommendations for Future-Ready Agriculture:
- Water Reforms: Promote rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and micro-irrigation.
- Policy Reforms: Rationalize subsidies, adopt nano-fertilizers, and encourage sustainable practices like crop rotation and intercropping.
- Infrastructure & R&D: Improve market infrastructure, strengthen value chains, increase investment in agricultural research, and reform the price policy framework.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements regarding the “Indian Agriculture to 2047” report.
- It is released by the ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP).
- The report highlights the changes that have happened in India’s agri-food system since independence and suggests a roadmap for sustainable transformation.
Choose the correct answer code:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
