Can we double farmer’s income by 2022?

India is an agrarian economy as 65% population is involved in agriculture as their primary means of livelihood. However, the growth in agriculture is just 1.1 % in comparison to the GDP which grew by 7.5%. The sector is laden with many problems which have made it less alluring for next generations.

• The productivity is lower than other agricultural countries. There are many reasons which have contributed to the same. The social culture in villages also comes in way of agricultural growth. Indian farmers are usually illiterate, superstitious and even not willing to change. Furthermore the increasing population,has led to terrible pressure on land and has led to fragmented land holdings. Marginal farmers are highly exploited by rich landlords. Agriculture is still looking forward towards a technical revolution.
• In addition primarily the agriculture is dependent on rain to the tune of 45% of the total agricultural output. There is an apparent dearth of modern irrigation techniques. Majority of the cropped area is dependent on rainfall for irrigation, the patterns of which have become highly erratic due to changing climatic conditions. Many areas have to face drought-like conditions while others are annually flooded. Also, in some areas irrigation facilities are available at increasing costs which make them unaffordable for small farmers.
• Furthermore, the land distribution is highly uneven which is reflected in small land holdings of farmers. This has reduced the competitiveness of farmers considerably. Thus, mostly the farmers are marginal and also are involved in cultivation of land of others. As per a NSSO survey, nearly 80 percent of cultivators own less than a hectare of land and are thus exploited economically as their expenditure overshoots their income. Some are also known as bataidari cultivators where small farmers are made to cultivate land of others. In latter cases, bataidari farmers only get half of the produce. Even if they supplement their income with animal husbandry work they are unable to meet the family requirements and are forced to take loans. These make them indebted for life as they are not able to pay back their loans. The rise in rates of suicides among farmers in states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerela, Punjab, Rajasthan, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh.

Indian farmers have been in dire crisis for a long time. The poor productivity conditions topped with other factors have led to a slump in the agriculture sector. They have been badly indebted over the years and failure to repay their loans has made them commit suicide in many states of the nation. Many land reforms have been taken by the government for the welfare of the farmers but they have shown no result on implementation front. Government is trying to open many alternative employment opportunities for the rural sector as agriculture alone is proving insufficient to provide for growing requirements of the household.

Steps to boost income

Land reforms, technical improvements like better seeds, chemicals, irrigation facilities and other bio-manures etc. can be highly instrumental in improving economic conditions in villages.  Government is also laying stress different agricultural practices like double cropping, crop rotation, fighting plant diseases and other pests etc. Furthermore, enhancing agricultural productivity by suitably investments by corporate is another appreciable step which can make difference to farmer incomes in due course of time. Farmers should be properly educated about the benefits of adoption of newer technologies. An integrated approach should be followed to lead to an overall development.

These may not exactly double the current income of farmers but make agriculture more sustainable and profitable for them.