by Agriculture has always been a vital sector of the Indian economy, providing livelihoods to a majority of the population. However, until independence, agriculture was largely subsistence-based and characterized by low productivity, low yields, and low technological inputs. In the post-independence period, the government recognized the need to modernize and transform the agricultural sector, and initiated a number of policy measures to promote agricultural development.
The planned era, spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s, was a critical period in the history of Indian agriculture, marked by significant changes and developments. The government adopted a number of measures to promote agricultural growth, increase food production, and enhance rural incomes. In this article, we will discuss the major policy initiatives and their impact on the agricultural sector during the planned era.
Land Reforms:
One of the first initiatives taken by the government was to implement land reforms. Land reform measures were aimed at redistributing land from large landowners to landless and marginal farmers. The measures included abolition of intermediaries, ceiling on land holdings, and tenancy reforms. The land reforms helped in reducing inequalities in land ownership, increasing access to land for the poor, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Green Revolution:
The Green Revolution, which started in the mid-1960s, was a major breakthrough in agricultural development in India. The Green Revolution was a package of technologies that included high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds, irrigation facilities, fertilizers, and pesticides. The HYVs were developed through scientific research and were resistant to pests, diseases, and adverse weather conditions. The Green Revolution helped in increasing crop yields, enhancing food production, and reducing dependence on food imports.
Intensive Agriculture Development Programme (IADP):
The IADP was launched in 1960 with the objective of increasing agricultural production by intensifying cultivation in the existing cultivable area. The programme focused on improving irrigation facilities, promoting the use of fertilizers and high-yielding seeds, and introducing new farming practices. The IADP helped in increasing crop yields and reducing the yield gap between different regions.
Community Development Programme (CDP):
The CDP was launched in 1952 with the objective of promoting rural development and improving the living standards of the rural population. The programme was aimed at providing basic infrastructure facilities such as roads, schools, health centers, and irrigation facilities. The CDP also focused on promoting the use of modern agricultural practices and improving the marketing of agricultural products.
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP):
The IRDP was launched in 1978 with the objective of alleviating rural poverty and promoting integrated rural development. The programme was aimed at providing income-generating assets to the rural poor, including land, cattle, and tools. The IRDP also provided credit facilities, technical assistance, and training to the rural poor.
National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS):
The NAIS was launched in 1999 with the objective of providing insurance cover to farmers against crop failures due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. The scheme was aimed at protecting farmers against the risks associated with farming and enhancing their confidence in adopting modern agricultural practices.
Impact of Policy Initiatives:
The policy initiatives undertaken during the planned era had a significant impact on the agricultural sector in India. The Green Revolution led to a significant increase in food production, reducing dependence on food imports and ensuring food security. The land reforms helped in reducing inequalities in land ownership and enhancing agricultural productivity. The IADP helped in increasing crop yields and reducing the yield gap between different regions. The CDP and the IRDP helped in promoting rural development and improving the living standards of the rural population. The NAIS helped in protecting farmers against the risks associated with farming.
Despite the various initiatives undertaken during the planned era, the agricultural sector in India continues to face several challenges. Some of the major problems faced by the sector are discussed below:
- Fragmented land holdings: One of the major problems faced by the Indian agricultural sector is the fragmentation of land holdings. Most farmers in India own small and fragmented land parcels, which limits their capacity to invest in modern farming techniques and technologies. This results in low productivity and low returns on investment.
- Lack of irrigation facilities: A large part of India is still dependent on rain-fed agriculture, which is highly susceptible to the vagaries of nature. While the government has made efforts to increase the irrigation potential of the country, a significant portion of agricultural land is still not irrigated, which affects crop yields and farmer incomes.
- Inadequate credit facilities: Access to credit is essential for farmers to invest in modern farming techniques and technologies. While the government has implemented various schemes to provide credit to farmers, access to credit remains a major problem, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
- Price volatility: Indian farmers are exposed to price volatility, as the prices of agricultural commodities are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors such as global demand and supply, weather conditions, and government policies. This makes it difficult for farmers to plan their production and marketing strategies and also affects their incomes.
- Inadequate marketing infrastructure: The lack of adequate marketing infrastructure in rural areas makes it difficult for farmers to sell their produce at remunerative prices. In many cases, farmers are forced to sell their produce to intermediaries at prices much lower than the market prices, resulting in reduced incomes.
- Lack of Research and Development: The Indian agricultural sector has not seen significant advancements in research and development, which limits the development and dissemination of new technologies and techniques. This hinders the sector’s growth and reduces its competitiveness in the global market.
- Climate change: Climate change is a growing concern for the Indian agricultural sector. Changes in weather patterns, such as increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, are adversely affecting crop yields and farmer incomes. This highlights the need for the sector to adapt to the changing climate and adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices.
- Poor infrastructure: The poor state of rural infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and storage facilities, limits the development of the agricultural sector. It hampers the movement of agricultural inputs and outputs, which affects productivity and profitability.
- Lack of institutional support: The lack of institutional support for farmers, such as extension services, training programs, and technical assistance, limits their capacity to adopt modern farming techniques and technologies. This, in turn, affects productivity and profitability.
- Land degradation: Land degradation is a growing concern for the Indian agricultural sector, as it reduces the productivity of agricultural land. Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation, and soil erosion are some of the factors contributing to land degradation.
