What are the most serious issues confronting Indian farmers?
BookMyCrop
Jun 13, 2022
1.Small and fragmented landholdings:
The apparent plenty of 141.2 million hectares of net sown area and 189.7 million hectares of total cropped area (1999-2000) pales into insignificance when we consider that it is divided into economically unviable small and scattered holdings.
In 1970-71, the average holding size was 2.28 hectares, which decreased to 1.82 hectares in 1980-81 and 1.50 hectares in 1995-96. With the limitless subdivision of land holdings, the size of the holdings will shrink even further.
2.Seeds:
Seed is a vital and fundamental input for increasing crop yields and sustaining agricultural production growth. The distribution of high-quality seed is just as important as its manufacturing. Unfortunately, good quality seeds are out of reach for the majority of farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers, due to excessive seed prices.
3.Manures, fertilizers, and biocides:
For thousands of years, Indian soils have been utilized to grow crops without any thought to renewing them. Soil depletion and weariness have resulted in low productivity as a result of this. Almost all of the crops' average yields are among the world's lowest. This is a major issue that can be addressed by adding extra manures and fertilizers to the mix.
4. Irrigation:
Despite being the world's second-largest irrigated country after China, India's cropped area is only irrigated in one-third of its total area. In a tropical monsoon country like India, where rainfall is unpredictable and inconsistent, irrigation is the most significant agricultural input. India will not be able to make sustained agricultural improvement unless and until more than half of the planted area is irrigated.
5. Lack of mechanisation:
Despite large-scale mechanisation of agriculture in some regions of the country, most agricultural operations are still carried out by hand in the majority of the country, utilising simple and traditional tools and implements such as the wooden plough and sickle.
6. Soil erosion:
Wind and water cause soil erosion over large expanses of fertile land. This area has to be adequately treated and re-fertilized.
7. Agricultural Marketing:
In rural India, agricultural marketing is still in poor shape. Farmers must rely on local traders and intermediaries to dispose of their farm produce, which is sold at a throw-away price, due to a lack of adequate marketing facilities.
8. Capital scarcity:
Agriculture is a significant industry that, like all others, requires capital. With the progress of farm technology, the role of capital input is becoming increasingly crucial. Because the agriculturist's capital is tied up in his lands and stocks, he must borrow money to keep agricultural production moving.
Farmers can now benefit from the usage of technology in a variety of ways. For instance,
- Our Prime Minister NaMo has already started the Jan Dhan Yojna, which is a direct transfer of capital from the government to farmers.
- Another step ahead will be agricultural marketing using current technology such as cellphones.
- Applying innovative technologies to reach out to farmers and educate them on strategies to prevent soil erosion and increase harvests by using appropriate fertilisers will also be a significant step forward.
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