Agriculture sector a must for GDP growth

Kisaano ki Samriddhi”, the well-being of farmers is vital to the nation's prosperity. Kisan is the sentinel of our food security. Annadaata Sukhibhava has been one of our fundamental civilizational values. It is the time the government is taking several steps to usher in Second Green Revolution in the entire country. India lives in the villages. Agriculture sector is the soul of Indian economy and for the people of India.

The share of agriculture in employment was 48.9 per cent of the workforce. In other words Agriculture is the principal source of livelihood for more than 58% of the population of this country. As per the Economic Survey the sector share in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 17.4 in 2015-16.

We all know that the agriculture sector is the backbone and crucial in our Indian economy which provides the basic ingredients to mankind and providing raw material for rapid industrialisation sector development. No doubt that the besides manufacturing sectors, Agriculture sector provides great employment opportunities for rural people/youth on a large scale for their livelihood and also provides an entrepreneurship.

Agriculture is a state subject as per the constitutional list of VII schedule. The concept of competitive Federalism to Competitive Sub-Federalism besides the smart city mission, agriculture development is needed at the gross root level. Rural development is one of our top priorities for Government.

We have to work harder to provide food security to our people and to make the agriculture sector resilient to the vagaries of nature. We have to provide better amenities and opportunities to our people in villages to ensure a decent quality of life. No doubt that the food processing sector helps increase farmers’ income.

Agriculture is the main Input to the biotic community for any activity in this planet of Earth. The level of agriculture production and overall availability of food grains is satisfactory and sufficient for human energy. Food grains Stock in Central Pool for current period is about approximately 361.63 lakh MT

The Indian economy is estimated to register a GDP growth rate of 7.1 per cent in 2016-17. The radical measures initiated in November 2016 in the form of demonetisation of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 currency notes, the Indian economy is likely to experience a slowdown in the growth rate in Agriculture and allied sectors.

However we hope that the growth of agriculture & allied sectors improved significantly in a long run. As per the first advance estimates of the CSO, growth rate for the agriculture and allied sectors is estimated to be 4.1 to 5.1 per cent. We need to rationalize fertilizer subsidy in an input, crop and region neutral format and minimize diversions thorough the Digital and Direct Benefit Transfer options.

Price policy of agricultural produce
The price policy of Government for major agricultural commodities seeks to ensure remunerative prices to the farmers to encourage higher investment and production, and to safeguard the interest of consumers by making available supplies at reasonable prices. On account of the volatility of prices of pulses, a Committee on ‘Incentivising Pulses Production through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Related
Agricultural Policies’ is needed for farmers development.

Government of India has established the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change to assist States and Union Territories to undertake projects and actions for adaptation to climate change. Rs. 182.3 crore has been released for 18 projects for sectors including agriculture and animal husbandry, water resources, coastal areas, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

In India, the exit problem arises because of three types of reasons
1. Interests
2. Institutions
3. Ideas/ Ideology.

How might the exit problem be addressed?
Technology and the JAM solution: Technology can help in two ways. First, it brings down human discretion and the layers of intermediaries. And, second, it breaks the old shackles and old ways of doing business. Fertilizer, agriculture, sugar etc—can be addressed through technology and leveraging the potential of JAM for DBT Scheme.

The Government has taken a number of initiatives through the ‘Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare’

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, with the biggestever Government's contribution to crop insurance and with lowest-ever premium rates for farmers. It has many firsts to its credit like national coverage of post-harvest losses due to inundation and unseasonal rains, no capping on Government subsidy, and use of technology for early and accurate settlement of claims. Assistance to farmers afflicted by natural calamity has been increased by 50% and eligibility norms have been relaxed.

Soil Health Card to 14 crore farm-holdings by March, 2017 and will result in judicious application of fertilizers, lowering input costs and bettering soil health. To promote organic farming, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is being implemented under which 8,000 clusters have been developed so far.

Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)/ "Per Drop More Crop" and "Jal Sanchay for Jal Sinchan".: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana promises assured irrigation, expanding cultivated areas by improving water use efficiency and enabling drought proofing.

New Urea Policy-2015 with the objective of maximizing indigenous production and improving energy efficiency. The policy will lead to additional production of 17 Lakh metric tonnes annually in the next three years.

Providing 100% neem-coated urea has not only improved efficiency but has also helped in plugging subsidy leakages by preventing illegal diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural use. The highest ever urea fertilizer production was achieved in 2015.

National Agriculture Market Scheme (NAM) launched to connect mandis across the entire country. It is making India One food zone, One Country, One Market. This will immensely benefit our farmers in getting fair and remunerative prices.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
Agriculture credit

• Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres opened in the country, one in the North and one in the South.
• National Gokul Mission started for development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.
• Blue Revolution initiated to increase fisheries production. Production increased to 150 lakh tonnes
• National Livestock Mission (NLM) extended to entire country

The Objectives
Increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified districts of the country; Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level; and enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence amongst the farmers.

To improve the quality of life of farmers’ especially small and marginal farmers by offering a complete package of activities to maximize farm returns for enhancing food and livelihood security.

Indian farmers needs to be both innovative and competitive in the global market. It is the task of government, policy-makers, educators, researchers, and extension workers to ensure they have the tools, technologies, and new farming systems that enable them to increase the productivity.