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: Agricultureโ€™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 (โ‰ค1 ha) rose from 51% to 68%, and average farm size dropped from 2.28 ha to 1.08 ha.
  • Diversification of GVA: By 2022โ€“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.

  1. It is released by the ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP).
  2. 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

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