THE PATH TO VIKSIT BHARAT RUNS THROUGH FIELDS

Syllabus:

  • GS 2: Government Policies and intervensions.

Why in the News?

India’s path to becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047 involves addressing agricultural challenges, including improving R&D, irrigation, and value chains, while learning from China’s reforms to ensure food and nutritional security.

THE PATH TO VIKSIT BHARAT RUNS THROUGH FIELDS - UPSCSource: Indian Express

Introduction

  • As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires focused efforts in agriculture and food security.
  • Addressing challenges like climate change, improving R&D, irrigation, and land-lease markets, and enhancing value chains are crucial steps toward sustainable development and nutrition security.
‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’

  • Launch and Significance: Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ initiative via video conferencing, targeting the nation’s youth to contribute ideas for a developed India by 2047.
  • Historical Inspiration:  Drew parallels between the current period and the freedom struggle, urging the youth to channel their energy towards national development.
  • Role of Education: Educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping the personality of individuals and, consequently, the nation’s progress.
  • Youth Engagement: Need for youth to actively participate in the initiative, contributing ideas through special campaigns and the Ideas Portal.
  • Policy and Suggestions: Educational institutions to brainstorm and suggest policies for development, focusing on areas like cleanliness, lifestyle improvements, and vocational skills.

Vision for the Future

  • Amrit Kaal: The next 25 years as “Amrit Kaal,” a crucial period for India’s growth, and highlighted the importance of collective effort (‘Sabka Prayas’) in achieving the Viksit Bharat vision.
  • Youth’s Role: Future of India depends on how today’s youth shape and drive the country’s development goals.

Reflecting on India’s Path to Viksit Bharat@2047

Achievements and Failures

  • Independence Day Reflections: India’s 78th Independence Day prompts a review of achievements and shortcomings.
  • Milestones for 2047: To achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, India needs clear milestones every three to five years.
  • Progress and Course Correction: Regular evaluations will help measure progress and make necessary adjustments.

Global Context

  • Comparative Progress: As India aims to be developed by 2047, it is essential to consider where other major countries, particularly those in our neighborhood, will stand by then.

Fundamental Duties of the State

Securing Borders

  • Current Status: India has managed border security reasonably well despite conflicts with Pakistan and China.
  • Emerging Challenge: The rapid rise of China presents new economic and military challenges.

Promoting Peace and Prosperity

  • Neighbour Relations: Many neighbouring countries are aligning more closely with China.
  • Strategic Approach: India must enhance its policy and diplomatic strategies to address these shifts and secure its interests.

Lessons from Historical Food Security and Economic Reforms

Historical Context

  • Post-Independence India: In 1947, over 75% of India’s population lived in extreme poverty. The 1943 famine saw 1.5 to 3 million deaths from starvation.
  • China’s Experience: China faced a severe famine during the Great Leap Forward (1958-1963), resulting in an estimated 30 million deaths.

Agricultural and Technological Advances

  • Green Revolution: India’s food security improved with the Green Revolution in the late 1960s, introducing advanced agricultural technologies.
  • China’s Agricultural Reforms: China also experienced agricultural breakthroughs. By 1978, it implemented economic reforms, starting with agriculture. This included dismantling the commune system, adopting the household responsibility system, and deregulating crop prices.

Economic Outcomes

  • China’s Growth: Between 1978 and 1984, China’s farmers saw their income rise by over 14% annually. This increase in rural incomes fuelled demand for products from China’s Town and Village Enterprises (TVEs).
  • Current Status: Today, China is a global manufacturing hub, with a per capita income nearly five times that of India in dollar terms.

Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Policies and Population Control

Agricultural Productivity

  • China’s Advantage: Despite having less land under cultivation, China’s farm sector produces nearly double the value of produce compared to India.
  • This is due to several factors:
    • Land Lease Markets: China has developed land lease markets for 30 years, allowing for efficient land use.
    • Income Support: Farmers receive substantial income support on a per-acre basis.
    • Market Price Support: The producer support estimate (PSE) is high, even surpassing that in OECD countries.
  • India’s Challenge: India’s PSE is negative, meaning farmers are taxed through restrictive trade and marketing policies, despite receiving input subsidies like fertilizers and power.

Population Control and Economic Impact

  • China’s One-Child Policy: Imposed from 1981 to 2016, this policy contributed to a rapid increase in per capita income by controlling population growth.
  • Lessons for India
    • Education of Girls: Investing in girls’ education is essential for managing population growth.
    • Economic Improvement: Enhanced education leads to better economic outcomes, particularly in lower-income regions.
    • Alternative to One-Child Norm: While not adopting a one-child policy, focusing on education can achieve similar benefits

India’s Agricultural Growth and Challenges

Moderate Growth in Agriculture

  • Growth Rate: From 2004-05 to 2023-24, India’s Agri-GDP grew at an average of 3.6% per year.
  • Population Impact: This growth is adequate given the declining population growth rate, now below 1% annually.

Export and Import Dynamics

  • Exports: India’s agricultural exports have averaged around $51 billion in the last three years, including products like rice, marine goods, spices, and buffalo meat.
  • Imports: The country’s imports stand at $34 billion, primarily edible oils and pulses.

Challenges in Pulse Production

  • Self-Sufficiency Goal: The government aims for self-sufficiency in pulses but risks failing if current policies persist.
  • Future Demand: Expected demand for pulses may reach 40 million tonnes by 2030, but production has been between 22 to 25 million tonnes in recent years.
  • Import Projections: Without policy changes, imports could increase to 8-10 million tonnes.

Proposed Solutions

  • Subsidy Reforms: To boost pulse production, provide subsidies similar to those for rice cultivation.
  • Environmental Benefits: Pulses are less resource-intensive than rice, leading to improved soil health, reduced water use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Incentives for Farmers: ICRIER Research suggests offering Rs 35,000 per hectare in the Punjab-Haryana region for five years could incentivize a shift from paddy to pulses.
  • This bold policy shift requires cooperation between the central and state governments to be effective.

Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security

Key Policy Measures

  • Agri-R&D: Invest in agricultural research and development to enhance productivity and sustainability.
  • Irrigation: Expand and modernize irrigation infrastructure to improve crop yields.
  • Land-Lease Markets: Open land-lease markets to increase land use efficiency.
  • Value Chains: Develop value chains for perishables based on successful models like Amul to reduce wastage and improve market access.

Addressing Nutritional Security

  • Current Challenge: Approximately 35% of children under five are stunted, indicating poor nutritional status.
  • Future Focus: Shift focus from mere food security to comprehensive nutritional security to address deficiencies and improve overall health outcomes.

Conclusion

To achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047, India must advance agricultural R&D, improve irrigation, and develop value chains. Emphasizing policy reforms and investing in nutrition will ensure sustainable food security and address the challenges posed by climate change and population growth.

Source:Indian Express

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the impact of India’s current agricultural policies on achieving food and nutritional security, considering lessons from China’s agricultural reforms.  

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/viksit-bharat-2047-voice-of-youth-initiative/