INDIAN ECONOMY 2020-YOUNG CITIZENS’

PRESPECTIVES IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Abstract

Agriculture is mainstay of Indian economy. Its share to GDP has declined drastically. Failure to achieve targeted growth in agriculture resulted from the insufficiencies of the provision of necessities that blossoms agricultural growth. Apart from many challenges, the major one is the storage problem causing enormous wastage in the nation where thousands suffer from food shortage. So, what else can we dream of than, food and income security? And by 2020 we hope that the nation works towards finding a solution to the agricultural storage as well as yield puzzle which would automatically put India on the road to assured progress. Thus, there is an urgency to address the challenges of this sector. Efforts will rejuvenate agriculture and bring about inclusive growth of economy.

Keywords: GDP, food inflation, PPP

“If the farmer’s hands slackenEven the ascetic’s state will fail.”

Introduction

The land of Indian subcontinent has been known for its prosperous farming endeavor since time immemorial. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. It provides livelihood to around 70% of the population. The arrival of the new millennium has been heralded by numerous vision documents about the long-term prospects of the Indian economy. There is considerable anxiety about the likely course of the agricultural scenario in the country. While science and technology hold promise of plenty, doubts are expressed about our capacity to make productive use of the technological opportunities. Despite being a global agricultural powerhouse and having all necessary natural resources and labour, still it bags no position in the list of world top ten agriculture export countries. It’s time when the sector calls for real attention. As per the Economic Survey 2011-12, the share of agriculture and allied sectors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined to 13.9 % in 2011-12 from 14.5 % in 2010-11. The failure to achieve targeted growth in agriculture has resulted from the insufficiencies of the provision of research and development, rural infrastructure, illiteracy, etc. as well as inappropriate implementation of policies on which agricultural growth thrives.

Challenges in agriculture sectorApart from miscellaneous hurdles, the major one that the nation has been facing for years is the storage problem. Official data has revealed that the amount of food grains wasted in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in the nation has increased by ten times over the last two years. About one-third of the total produce goes waste. Innumerable since the past decade, recent cases witnessed are many in number like-

In Maharashtra-Rice worth Rupees 250 crore was left to rot out in the open for over 2 years in Gadchriroli district.

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In Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh about 13,000 metric tonnes of food grain worth Rupees 3 crore was eaten by rodents at (FCI) godown.

Even in Odisha-1,206 bags of rice belonging to FCI which were supposed to feed the empty stomach were buried near Cuttack. The problem of storage in the nation has become so acute that in the near recent, the rural development minister ‘Jairam Ramesh’ revealed that toilets built over the last 10 years across the country are being used for storing food grains. On this issue, Arindam Chaudhri says-“Food wasted in FCI godowns could have fed 2500 lakh families for ten years!!!Do we need to talk about food security anymore?”

Vision 2020On one hand we have this enormous wastage with no immediate remedies, while on other hand there are thousands, who starve to death in a nation like India which was once called-THEGOLDEN BIRD! As per Helen Keller-

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.” So in such a case, what else can we visualize of than food and income security for all? And by 2020 we hope that the nation works towards finding a solution to the agricultural storage as well as yield puzzle which would automatically put India on the road to assured progress by not only feeding the billions but making India to be one among the world top ten agriculture exporter nations. Feeding the rising billions is a big question for India. To meet the food requirements, the country needs to boost the food grain production by 1.34% annually to 280.6 million tons by 2020.

Strategies to achieve the visionTo achieve the vision, both public and private sectors has to join hands to contribute their best so that the synergies they achieve can lead to results well beyond the reach of any organisation alone. The priority areas seeking immediate and proper attention can be divided broadly into four categories like –

Research & Development Infrastructure Knowledge sharing And Pro-government marketing policies

Research & DevelopmentIndia has to learn a lot from China who achieved major success in increasing the yield to as much as 40% more than that of India through large scale use of hybrid seeds. Promoting new technologies is essential. Due to climatic variations, we have to learn to make our own models and take advanced action for increasing productivity to meet the future demand.

InfrastructureMajor attention should be given for irrigation projects, improving transportation facilities and construction of pre and post-harvest storage houses etc. If such schemes are implemented in more and more states, a fair amount of improvement can be witnessed.

Knowledge sharing

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For the sake of proper use and implementation, it is necessary that knowledge sharing projects must be setup to increase the data and information sharing processes making the farmers aware of using the advanced technologies through proper training and providing them practical guidance throughout the process. Training processes can be utilized in the interior villages of the country to educate and create awareness.

And Pro-government marketing policiesAdequate attention should also be given to implementation of marketing policies which focuses on defining grades and standards of agricultural commodities, investing in quality promotion through development of quality standards certification and brand promotion.

Meeting the agriculture sector challenges is important to India’s overall development. Policy makers will thus need to initiate and/or conclude policy actions to build a solid foundation for a much more productive, internationally competitive, and diversified agricultural sector.

Suggestions A fusion of technologies for sustainable development i.e. a synergy of multiple

disciplines has to be adopted. There is a vast literature on agricultural policies in India assessing their performance and suggesting reforms. Proper steps should be taken for implementation of those.

A restructuring of existing institutions has to be made for making them more responsive to needs of the users.

Necessary steps should be taken to encourage involvement of private investment particularly in post-harvest activities including storage, food processing and marketing.

India should not only grow sufficient to feed all in the nation but should also have a surplus to bag a position in the world top 10 agriculture exporter nations’ list. It is acknowledged by all world experts that “more people die each year from hunger and malnutrition than from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined” So, in 2020 we expect our nation to be one that has no belly left unfilled. India needs to stop seeing agriculture as a problem to be nursed and start thinking of it as an opportunity to be grasped. With initiations in priority areas and proper risk management, India is expected to come out of the shackles of poverty and hunger and proceed as a whole towards a better and brighter tomorrow-from poverty to power.

References- ACRPU (1999):Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Agro-climatic Regional Planning Project, Agro-climatic Regional Planning Unit, Sardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social Research, Ahmadabad.

Agriculture Policy: Vision 2020, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

Bhalla, G.S., et al, (1999): "Prospects for India's Cereal Supply and Demand to 2020",Discussion Paper 29, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington.

CNN-IBN reports on food grain damage at-http://ibnlive.in.com/newstopics/Grain-drain.html

Deininger, Dina Umali (2003), 'Revitalizing the Agricultural Sector to Sustain Growth andPoverty Reduction in India', Paper presented at the Meeting of Federation of Farmers Associations, Hyderabad on 13.12.2003.

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Indian council of agricultural research (ICAR) Chapter X X V I

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