From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 19: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu lamented that Indian farmers were facing agrarian crisis mainly due to fragmented holdings, dependence on monsoons and markets, resource degradation and depletion.

Delivering VKRV Rao Memorial Lecture on “Challenges & Opportunities Facing Indian Agriculture” at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) to mark the 47th Founders’ Day of the Institute in Bengaluru on Friday, the Vice President said the share of agriculture in GDP has been falling over the years even though agriculture is the heart of economic development of our country.

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala was among the dignitaries who attended the function.

“Agriculture is the main occupation of most Indians and, as a sector, has been the most important one in India’s economy. However, it is facing several challenges,’’ he said.

The economy has always performed well during high agriculture growth. Strategies for faster, inclusive and sustainable growth must address the issues faced by millions of people. Farmers and their produce are subjected often to serious stresses related to untimely monsoon, calamities like floods, hailstorms etc", he said.

“Clearly, there are a number of emerging challenges in making agriculture more productive, remunerative and attractive. But there are also infinite possibilities. We have academic bodies like the Universities and research institutions like Indian Council for Agricultural Research,’’ the Vice President said pointing out that the country had a vast extension network, knowledge and skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of our farmers.

Naidu said, "If we can join hands and work together, we can meet these challenges. We have to realize the dream of home grown food security. We can make this happen if we build on our core strengths and use our natural, human and material resources wisely. I do hope we shall collectively strive to use the knowledge from the labs and research centres like yours to transform our country’s agricultural landscape and the lives of our farming sisters and brothers. Let our knowledge be for all the people of our land.’’

The Centre and States while investing through Central Sector Schemes, need to evolve policies to channelize greater private investments in farm inputs, irrigation, marketing, post-harvest management, risk management, land development and capacity of institutions, he said appreciating the Centre’s ambitious target of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022. 

He said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana was a right step. Also, similar initiatives were required for addressing the risks in livestock sector.

12-point agenda to spur growth 

The vice-president unveiled a 12-point agenda for spurring the growth in the sector like providing good quality seeds; balanced use of fertilizers; release of timely institutional credit; diversification of agricultural activities by focusing poultry, dairy etc.; food processing; farm mechanization; intensification of agriculture by focusing horticultural activities; judicious use of water, particularly surface water; larger share in consumer prices for farmers by declaring higher MSP; reform in land policy such as contract farming; climate change; and strengthening research and development in the farm sector.

Despite these challenges, he felt it was indeed heartening to note that Indian agriculture has made rapid strides since independence. The country moved from food import to self-sufficiency and exports. “We have made the transition from subsistence farming to intensive and technology-led cultivation,’’’ he said.

At present, India occupied top position in the production of many crops. It has the highest milk production in the world and has seen many transformative changes as it ushered in green, white, blue and yellow revolutions, Naidu said. 

The growth rate in food production has surpassed that of population growth: between 2000 and 2014, food production was increasing at 2.04% while the population is increasing at the rate of 1.44%.

During 2016-17, agricultural output increased at the rate of 5% with an all-time record production. "There is a discernible achievement through technological innovations, infrastructure for irrigation and water resources,’’ he said.

It is gratifying to note that the investment in agriculture and allied sectors increased at 11.6% during 11th Plan due to private investment growing at 15%.  Public investment in agriculture increased from 2.8% of GDP in 10th Plan to 3.1% in 11th Plan. The private investment increased from 15.9% of agricultural GDP in 11th Plan to 18.1% in 2012-13. 

Even though the public investment in agriculture is critical and important, it forms less than 15% of total investment in agriculture. The private investment (by farmers) contributes to more than 85% of the total investment.

“We need to formulate a long-term and a medium term action plan detailing how private and public investments will be channelled and the strategic directions we should pursue to revitalize this sector,” Naidu added.