Dr Mandeep Singh Azad and Dr Kawardeep Kour
Second largest population in the world, third largest economy, fourth largest agricultural sector. In reference to India, superlatives abound. And yet, 400 million Indians live on less than a dollar a day, 212 million are undernourished and the United Nations Development Programme has ranked India 127th (out of 177) in terms of the human development index. How is it that this country, an agricultural giant and a driver of worldwide growth, is not able to ensure food security at home? What strategy can India implement nationally and with regard to international negotiations in particular?
Although the country has achieved record agriculture production of 253 million tons, the yield of how many crops match international level is the real question. Yields per hectare of food grains, fruits and vegetables in India are far below global averages. Our rice yields are one-third of China’s, and about half of Vietnam’s and Indonesia’s. Even India’s most productive states lag global averages. For example, Punjab’s yield of rice in 2010 was 3.8 tonnes per hectare against the global average of 4.3 tonnes. The average yield for apples in India (J&K) is about 11 tonnes per acre compared to the US, New Zealand, Israel or China, where yields range 30-70 tonnes per acre. This pattern is typical of most of our farm commodities such as pulses and edible oilseeds whose demand has been rising faster than supply, adding to food inflation. Substantial hikes in Minimum Support Price for rice and wheat have distorted production patterns, resulting in loss of benefits of crop diversification and inadequate focus on cash crops. Lack of infrastructure, post-harvest linkages and technology further results in losses across the supply chain. For example, gross capital formation in agriculture and allied sectors has been below 3% for years. The experience of other economies at similar stages of development is instructive.
For smooth farm operations simple machinery is needed and in adequate supply which is one of the biggest problem in Indian agriculture. The drudgery of farm labours especially of women is still very tough. Farm machinery gap is one of biggest concern for decreased production. The success of agriculture depends on availability of all the essential inputs at the right time, in right quantities and at right place. Quality seeds/planting materials need to be supplied to farmers in adequate quantity and on time. However the actual supply is far from the potential requirement of seeds creating avoidable gaps. In spite of being third largest producer of fertilizers in the world. India occupies only 13th position in fertilizer consumption. If seed gap is solved but still fertilizer gap remain unattended resulting in seed starving, curtailing growth and development of crops leading to low yields.
Agriculture and its allied activities accounted for about 13.9 percent of the GDP in the period 2011-12 as compared to 14.5 per cent in 2010-11.In terms of individual composition, out of a total share of 14.5 per cent in GDP in 2010-11, agriculture alone accounted for 12.3 per cent, followed by forestry and logging at 1.4 per cent, and fishing at 0.7 percent.
Though there had been a decline in the share of agriculture’s contribution to the GDP, there had been a positive point with the employment opportunities having increased contributing to the economic stability of the country.For the period of 2011-12 agriculture and its allied sectors estimated to achieve a growth rate of about 2.5 per cent. However, it is a matter of concern that agricultural growth is still, to a certain extent, characterized by fluctuations due to the vagaries of nature like the monsoon, though there has not been actual decline in terms of output for about a decade.
” Agriculture accounts for about 10 per cent of the total export earnings and provides raw material to a large number of industries. “Exports of agricultural products are expected to cross US$ 22 billion mark by 2014 and account for 5 per cent of the world’s agriculture exports
” South Korea has become a key market in Far-East for Indian coffee exports. “Indian coffee exports to South Korea have seen a five-fold jump in volume in the last three years
” Spice Board of India plans to promote exports of spices by establishing 25-30 spice parks in different parts of the country. This will help in achieving export of spices worth Rs 30,000 crore (US$ 5.57 billion) by 2020,
Although Indian Agriculture has come a long way, there are certain implications that have to be addressed for national and nutritional security. The increasing Indian population, coupled with growing income will generate increased demand for food grains and non-food grain crops. Therefore, Indian agriculture has to achieve a higher growth on a sustainable basis. Acceleration of growth of this sector will not only push the overall GDP growth upwards, it would also make the growth more inclusive. In the 12th Five Year Plan, the Government intends to increase the share of expenditure on agricultural research and development (R&D). The Government will focus on strengthening the Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) concept through improved integration with Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs).In recent past many agriculture technologies have been developed but they have not reached the farmers yet. There must be a synergy between the indigenous technologies and modern technologies developed by scientist for which the services of KVK’s must be drafted effectively. Because it is the KVK, and allied agriculture organizations from the state who can take these technologies to farmer fields. In spite of commendable efforts on training programme and skill development the knowledge gap is seen affecting the overall farm output. So a holistic approach is needed with policies that ensure building up confidence in farmers to sustain agriculture with high yield to feed growing population is essential. An integrated approach of agriculture and its allied sector like livestock and fisheries is the need of time as in the time of crop failure due to unexpected rain it is the allied sectors which will help farmers sustain agriculture in these tough conditions.
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