Viksit Bharat 2047: Paving the Way for a Resilient Agricultural Future

Viksit Bharat 2047: A Vision for Agricultural Transformation

The Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative aims to revolutionize the Indian agricultural landscape by fostering a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable system. This transformation is pivotal for boosting productivity, enhancing the incomes of farmers and agricultural workers, and ensuring food and nutritional security. The ultimate goal is to achieve equitable economic growth while significantly reducing rural poverty.

The Critical Role of Agriculture in Viksit Bharat 2047

Agriculture is a cornerstone of India's economy, employing 41.5% of the nation's workforce and contributing nearly 18% to its GDP. Despite its significance, the sector faces sluggish growth due to challenges such as low productivity, fragmented landholdings, and climate-related risks. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial to improve rural livelihoods and secure food for a population projected to exceed 1.6 billion by 2047.

Major Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture

• Low Productivity: Average yields for crops like wheat and rice trail behind global leaders by 40%-50%.
• Climate Risks: Erratic weather, droughts, and floods pose threats to crop yields.
• Rising Input Costs: Increased costs for fertilizer, seeds, and labor affect farmers' profits.
• Limited Market Access: Farmers often struggle to obtain fair prices due to inefficient procurement and marketing systems.
• Fragmented Landholdings: A majority of Indian farmers operate small or marginal landholdings of less than 2 hectares.

Government Initiatives for Agricultural Support

The government has launched several initiatives to support agricultural transformation:

• High-Yield Varieties (HYVs): In 2024, 109 HYVs, including climate-resilient varieties, were introduced.
• PM-Kisan Scheme: Offers ₹6,000 annually to farmers to help with input costs.
• MGNREGA: Provides guaranteed work and improves rural infrastructure.
• PM-Awas Yojana: Aims to enhance housing conditions for rural families.
• Subsidies: Fertilizer and irrigation subsidies reduce input costs.
• Digital Initiatives: E-NAM and land record digitization enhance market access and transparency.

Strategies for Improving Farmers’ Incomes

• Crop Diversification: Growing high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and pulses can boost incomes.
• Agro-Processing Industries: Adding value through processing and branding can increase farmer margins.
• Market Reforms: Expanding e-NAM and ensuring MSP implementation can offer better income security.
• Access to Credit: Expanding institutional credit and insurance can reduce dependency on informal loans.

Reforming Agricultural Subsidies

• Rationalization: Merging fertilizer subsidies with PM-Kisan for direct transfers to small farmers.
• Price Deregulation: Implementing market-driven pricing mechanisms for fertilizers to improve efficiency.
• Targeted Subsidies: Prioritizing support for small and marginal farmers while reducing benefits for larger landowners.

Impact of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture

Climate change presents significant risks to agriculture, including:

• Yield Reduction: Rising temperatures may lead to a 9% decline in wheat output.
• Extreme Weather Events: Droughts, floods, and unseasonal rains disrupt agricultural activities.
• Water Scarcity: With agriculture consuming 80% of India's water, depleting groundwater levels threaten sustainability.

Strategies like promoting climate-resilient crops and efficient irrigation methods are crucial for sustainability.

Investments Needed for Modernizing Agriculture

• Irrigation and Water Management: Investments in drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting are vital for efficient water use.
• Rural Infrastructure: Annual investments of at least ₹1 lakh crore are needed for roads, storage, and cold chains.
• Extension Services: Expanding networks to provide real-time knowledge and technical support to farmers.
• Technology Adoption: Utilizing AI, drones, and data analytics for precision farming can boost productivity.

Ensuring Rural Transformation by 2047

• Land Reforms: Consolidating fragmented landholdings through cooperative or contract farming.
• Education and Skill Development: Training rural youth in modern agricultural techniques and agribusiness.
• Diversified Income Sources: Promoting non-farm employment through rural industries and tourism.
• Gender Inclusion: Empowering women farmers, who play a substantial role in agriculture but are often under-recognized.

Alignment with Global Goals

The Viksit Bharat 2047 plan aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 2: Aims to end hunger and achieve food security.
• SDG 8: Focuses on promoting sustained economic growth and productive employment.
• SDG 13: Encourages urgent action to combat climate change.