Even as agriculture forms the backbone of development, with 52 per cent of India ’s workforce still engaged in agriculture for its livelihood, farming remains one of the most non-lucrative occupation. All efforts to attain food security and inclusive growth seem to be going down the drain as farm yields are going flat and contribution of agriculture to GDP is on a down slide at 13.9 per cent.
According to the latest Food and Agriculture Integrated Development Action 3 (FAIDA) report, India has not been able to reach its potential in agriculture produce and marketing. Today, our country is the third largest agriculture producer in the world but at the same time, it is a laggard in terms of yield. Agricultural scientists say that we produce only half of the potential yield but the silver lining behind the dark clouds is that processing could grow from Rs 1.1 trillion in 2011 to Rs 5.65 trillion by 2030, while India ’s food exports could grow from 1.4 trillion in 2011 to Rs 7.72 trillion by 2030.
Most of the times, the policymakers have been adopting a piecemeal approach. But the need of the hour is mission mode, to achieve the required growth. As is obvious from the prevalent state of affairs, where the government is cash-strapped, private sector investment is important. Along with bringing in public investment in agriculture, there is a need for adding incentives to agriculture.
While agriculture is the largest source of livelihood for the Indian workers, it is pitiable that a farmer earns merely 30-40 per cent of the nation’s overall average per capita income. There are studies that show a distinct shift by farmers to the high-value portfolio in certain areas, where demand-supply links have been improved and high yield and good quality of produce have allowed successful exports and meeting the domestic demand as well.
But generally, it is a sad tale of the farmers. There is an evident slowdown in per hectare yields across most crops, poor quality of seeds, insufficient technology, ineffective extension services, lack of awareness and adoption of best practice methods among farmers and low adoption of the latest technology, adversely affecting yields. Another major aspect which is leading to flat farm growth is the use of outdated practices and inputs with low involvement of organised sector and unfulfilled export potential.
According to the FAIDA report, by 2030, India ’s per capita income is expected to increase by 320 per cent, with food consumption going up to Rs 22.5 lakh crore from Rs 11 lakh crore in 2010. Vegetables and complex proteins will be consumed increasingly but is the country prepared for thisIJ It is time policymakers encouraged agri entrepreneurs, converging technocrats with agri-business ventures and attained self-sufficiency in food needs and nutritional requirement of the country.