Dr. Parveen Kumar
As the nation commemorates the 76th anniversary of its transition to a republic, the journey over the past seven decades has been extraordinary and unparalleled. From being labeled as the land of snake charmers during colonial times to emerging as a global powerhouse today, the country has demonstrated remarkable resilience by confronting numerous challenges head-on. Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recently remarked that, ‘India has risen as a democratic superpower, fully capable of providing the leadership that the world often seeks. If a free world needs a leader in the next 50 years, it’s likely to be India.’ Abbott’s words speak volumes about the nation’s escalating influence on the global stage. After a long and turbulent struggle spanning nearly two decades, the British were compelled to recognize India as an independent nation on August 15, 1947. This day marked both the end of foreign domination and the dawn of a new era of self-governance and democracy in India. Although independence was declared on August 15, 1947, it wasn’t until January 26, 1950, that the Constitution superseded the colonial Government of India Act 1935. The Indian Constitution was finalized on November 26, 1949, but came into effect on January 26, 1950, a date deliberately chosen to honor the historic declaration of Poorna Swaraj by the Indian National Congress on January 26, 1930.
As the country celebrates its 75th year as a republic, this day serves as a reminder of the collective spirit and remarkable progress achieved over these years. Once dependent on aid, the nation is steadily advancing to become the fifth-largest economy globally and is poised to claim the position of the third-largest economy in the coming years. Every sector of the economy has experienced revolutionary growth, and the world has witnessed the positive impacts of this transformation. The nation has now set a goal to become a Developed Nation, termed Viksit Bharat, by 2047. Viksit Bharat envisions India as a developed nation focusing on economic growth, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Achieving this goal is impossible without giving due consideration to agriculture. This year, Republic Day is celebrated under the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas; Golden India: Heritage and Progress. This theme highlights India’s rich cultural heritage while also showcasing its advancements in development and modernization. Agriculture, a vital component for development, continues to engage approximately 45.8% of the working population. If the aspiration of Viksit Bharat is to be realized by 2047, the agricultural sector must be harnessed to reach its full potential.
India transformed from a ‘begging bowl’ post-independence to a ‘bread basket,’ a change driven by what is known as the ‘Green Revolution.’ Dr. Norman E. Borlaug is credited with this revolution, saving millions of lives in India, Mexico, and the Middle East. Back home, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan spearheaded the Green Revolution as a dedicated initiative. The period from 1967 to 1978 saw a significant surge in food grain production, particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The Green Revolution also spread to numerous developing countries. Reports indicate that the number of impoverished people fell from 1.15 billion in 1975 to 825 million in 1995, despite a 60% rise in population. This transformation occurred following the Green Revolution of the 1960s, after which India has continued on an upward trajectory.
From a production level of 50 million tonnes in the early post-independence years, output has now surged to the 330 million tonnes mark. According to final estimates for 2022-23, total food grain production in India was projected at a record 329.68 million tonnes, surpassing the previous year’s production of 315.61 million tonnes by 14.07 million tonnes. This achievement results from a combination of technological advancements, interventions in agriculture and related sectors, policy support, and various reforms. Consequently, India has increased food grain production by 5.6 times, horticultural crops by 10.5 times, fish by 16.8 times, milk by 10.4 times, and eggs by 52.9 times since 1950-51, thereby significantly enhancing national food and nutritional security. The country ranks first in the production of various crops, including bananas, limes, lemons, papayas, and okra.
Horticulture production in India has now exceeded that of food grains. The nation boasts the largest area under cultivation and is the largest producer of pulses, spices, milk, tea, cashew, jute, bananas, jackfruit, and numerous other commodities (FAO data). It stands second in the production of fruits and vegetables, wheat, rice, cotton, and oilseeds. India has emerged as the world’s leading rice exporter, accounting for over 40% of the global rice trade, as indicated by FY 2023 data. After China and the USA, India has the largest cotton cultivation area in the world and is a primary agricultural commodity or fiber crop producer globally. Additionally, India ranks as the third-highest potato-producing country, with key production states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. The nation also possesses the largest livestock population.
Despite these remarkable achievements in agriculture, there remain challenges. We are still not self-sufficient in pulses and oilseeds. The adverse effects and threats presented by climate change, coupled with the large-scale indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to boost yields, have become increasingly evident. Groundwater has been poisoned and contaminated with harmful chemicals, rendering vast stretches of land unfit for drinking. Soil degradation has occurred, leading to barren lands and substantial biodiversity loss. Nutritional insecurity is now prominent, impacting children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
To realize the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is essential to address various inadequacies in the agricultural sector. The sector must adopt environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable practices, as well as diversify farming techniques. Promoting high-value crops is equally vital. While food security has been achieved, nutritional security remains a collective concern. A variety of initiatives have been launched to tackle nutritional insecurity. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the release of 109 climate-resilient and biofortified varieties across 61 crops, including 34 food grain varieties and 27 horticultural crops. Transitioning from a chemically intensive Green Revolution to an evergreen revolution based on natural farming principles, sustainability, local resource efficiency, economic viability, social compatibility, and profitability is imperative. Natural farming practices are being promoted nationwide as environmentally friendly approaches, and in the next two years, one crore farmers will be encouraged to adopt these practices. To support this, 10,000 bio-input resource centers will be set up across the country. The food processing sector is considered a sunrise industry that can facilitate the vision for 2047. Currently, food processing in India is relatively low. Optimizing the food processing sector can enhance income opportunities for rural populations, facilitate job creation, reduce food waste, improve access to nutritious foods through better processing of fruits and vegetables, and increase the proportion of value-added products.
The Government of India has introduced numerous pro-farmer initiatives, including the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN), Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Soil Health Card (SHC), Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Prime Minister Kisan Mandhan Yojana. To attract and retain youth in agriculture, entrepreneurial development schemes such as Agri-Startups and skill development programs are being promoted, providing support to young individuals interested in establishing agricultural or allied enterprises. These initiatives are already yielding positive results. Many young people have transitioned from high-paying jobs to launch their own agricultural startups, creating employment opportunities for others. Farmers, particularly farm women, are feeling more empowered, and youth are gaining skills, transforming the once stagnant farming community into a dynamic and vibrant sector through collective models like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). By 2025, India is set to achieve new milestones in food grain production. The agricultural sector is projected to rebound strongly, with growth estimates of 3.5-4% for 2024-25, up from 1.4% in the previous year. In September 2024, the government announced seven new agricultural schemes with a total outlay of ₹13,966 crores. With these initiatives, the country is expected to reach greater heights in the future.
