Agriculture in India and its Global Position

Even amid these exceptional circumstances induced by COVID-19, India's farm industry appears to be in good shape. India's agriculture ecosystem for enterprises, farmers and entrepreneurs appears to be improving, as there was no disruption in the supply chain of agricultural commodities such as grains, vegetables, fruits and cattle during COVID-19.
According to estimates from the World Trade Organization, India was among the top ten agricultural produce exporters. As a source of food and other agricultural products, India has been one of the top contributors to meeting global demand. According to the economic survey, agri-exports reached a record high of Rs. 2.25 lakh crores in 2019-20. India's agricultural exports, on the other hand, barely accounted for 2.5% of global agricultural commerce. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Iran were the primary export destinations. Basmati Rice, Buffalo Meat, Marine Products, Cotton Raw, Oil, Sugar and Tea were among the top agricultural commodities exported.
The increase of agriculture exports has prompted the government to implement new policies and expand product offerings into new markets, removing bottlenecks in the export process and benefiting both farmers and Indian agriculture exporters. However, there is growing concern that climate change would have an impact on India's agricultural growth.

How much will climate change affect Indian agriculture?

Climate change is produced by the release of greenhouse gases and human-induced aerosols can affect crop productivity by changing monsoon behaviour. Because India's economy is based on agriculture, crop losses will be significant.
To avoid such challenges, industrialised and developing countries should make a concerted effort to make industrialization more environmentally friendly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change awareness programmes that affect agriculture, health, fisheries, forestry and ocean biodiversity can help raise such awareness.
From an agricultural standpoint, the consequences of extreme weather events on crops must be documented so that planners can mitigate the negative effects in future occurrences. There is also a need to educate farmers about the expected effects of climate change and to inform them about potential mitigation and adaptation solutions in order to reduce risk in the agricultural industry.

How might organic farming contribute to long-term development?

Increased population and pollution necessitate the use of sustainable agriculture technologies that increase soil health, support healthy plant development and promote environmental sustainability.
Pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and other modern farming techniques have thrown off the balance of nutrients in the soil, reducing soil fertility over time. Organic farming, which is environmentally beneficial and free of toxic chemicals, can help to reverse this negative effect. Organic farming is one of the most effective ways to restore soil fertility while also increasing crop yields because it does not harm the environment.
The development of the agriculture ecosystem without diminishing natural resources is referred to as sustainable agriculture. Organic agricultural products are considered to be ecological and environmentally friendly because they are primarily made from the waste of plants and animals.
India is making headway in agricultural product exports, but it is also creating more demand. Increased demand will necessitate increased food output and if the use of chemical products is favoured, the ecological balance will be thrown off.
Healthy ecosystems and long-term management of water, land and natural resources are at the heart of sustainable agriculture. As a result, organic farming is one of the most trustworthy agricultural systems because it ensures that no toxic items are used, which could disrupt the ecosystem.
More importantly, organically grown foods sell for greater prices than regular crops, which may be one of the motivators for farmers to adopt organic farming practises and goods.