REFORMING INDIA’S AGRICULTURAL POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Syllabus:

GS-1:

Agricultural Resources

GS-2:

Government Policies & Interventions

GS – 3:

E-Technology in the Aid of FarmersCropping Patterns

Focus:

The discussion around India’s agricultural policies has gained traction due to the need for reform in the face of environmental degradation and changing climate conditions. The focus is on shifting from High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) to eco-friendly, traditional crops to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

source:wordpress

 

The Green Revolution and Its Impact on Indian Agriculture:

  • Origins of the Green Revolution: In the 1960s, India faced a severe food grain shortage, relying on imports. The government introduced High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice, which increased production and made India self-sufficient in food.
  • Environmental Costs: The adoption of HYVs led to higher dependency on chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and water, contributing to environmental degradation, including soil erosion and pesticide residues in water.
  • Subsidy System Issues: The government subsidised chemical inputs and electricity for groundwater extraction, providing little incentive for resource conservation. This led to excessive use of fertilisers and water, damaging the environment and raising costs.
  • Long-Term Consequences: The subsidies aimed at increasing food production inadvertently benefited industrial firms, while the cost of groundwater extraction and depletion of soil fertility increased. Exporting food grains further depleted India’s water and soil resources.

National Agricultural Policy (2000) of India

  • Introduction
    • On 28 July 2000, the Indian government introduced the National Agricultural Policy.
    • Aimed to achieve over 4% annual growth through resource efficiency, technology, and private investment.
    • Focused on providing price protection to farmers, especially under WTO regime challenges.
  • Necessity for the Policy
    • The 1990s witnessed poor agricultural growth, prompting the need for policy intervention.
    • Issues like capital inadequacy, lack of infrastructure, and constraints on movement, storage, and sale of agricultural products affected sectoral growth.
  • Objectives
    • Achieve a growth rate of over 4% annually in agriculture.
    • Focus on efficient resource use while conserving soil, water, and biodiversity.
    • Ensure equitable growth benefiting all regions and farmer classes.
    • Ensure demand-driven growth, meeting domestic needs and boosting exports.
    • Promote sustainable growtheconomically, environmentally, and technologically.
  • Sector Importance
    • The agricultural sector ensures food security and supplies raw materials for industries.
    • Plays a key role in export generation, contributing to the economy.
  • Key Challenges
    • The policy aims to overcome challenges from economic liberalisation and globalisation.

Current Scenario: Foodgrain Surplus and the Need for Rethinking Wheat and Rice Varieties

  • Food Security Achieved: India has ample foodgrain stocks, reducing the pressure to increase the output of food grains. This allows the government to rethink the varieties of wheat and rice suited for future cultivation.
  • Environmental Sustainability: With grain availability no longer an issue, the focus should shift to eco-friendly practices. India needs to consider reducing the environmental impact of foodgrain production, addressing concerns such as overuse of fertilisers, pesticides, and groundwater.
  • Climate Change Resilience: Future wheat and rice varieties should be chosen with an eye on their resilience to climate change, as traditional varieties are likely to perform better under changing environmental conditions than HYVs, which require precise inputs.

The Role of Output-Based Subsidies in Supporting Sustainable Practices

  • Current Subsidy Model: The existing subsidy system favours input-intensive practices, promoting the use of fertilisers, pesticides, and water. However, this has led to environmental harm and a lack of incentives for sustainable farming.
  • Shift to Output-Based Subsidies: A proposed shift to output-based subsidies would offer equal support for both HYVs and local varieties of wheat and rice. This would encourage the cultivation of traditional, eco-friendly varieties while maintaining support for high-yielding crops.
  • Benefits of the Shift: With equal subsidies, local varieties would gain a competitive edge, leading to a more diverse agricultural landscape. This shift could reduce environmental costs while maintaining sufficient food production levels. Additionally, the increased competition could drive innovation and cost-reduction in HYV cultivation.

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience of Traditional Varieties

  • Advantages of Traditional Varieties: Traditional wheat and rice varieties are likely to be more resilient to climate change compared to HYVs, as they have adapted to varying weather patterns over time. They require fewer inputs and are more flexible in the face of environmental stress.
  • Challenges with HYVs: HYVs are more akin to industrial agriculture, needing specific inputs at precise times. They are less adaptable to changing climates and unpredictable weather patterns.
  • Long-Term Viability: Increasing the role of traditional varieties could enhance climate resilience and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture. However, this approach requires careful testing and further research to assess its feasibility and practicality in large-scale farming.

Moving Forward: Challenges and Pilot Testing

  • Practical Challenges: Shifting to a focus on traditional wheat and rice varieties presents theoretical and practical challenges. Any changes would need extensive research and testing to evaluate their impact on productivity and climate resilience.
  • Government Action and Testing: While large-scale implementation may be difficult for the government due to political considerations, non-profit organisations and scientific entities could conduct pilot projects to test the viability of promoting traditional varieties.
  • Need for Evaluation: The success of this strategy depends on comprehensive evaluation and assessment. If proven effective, it could lead to a more sustainable agricultural system that reduces environmental harm while ensuring food security for the future.

Environmental Degradation Due to Current Agricultural Practices

  • Excessive Groundwater Use: The unrestricted use of groundwater for irrigation has resulted in falling water tables and environmental degradation. This has increased the long-term cost of water extraction, making the system unsustainable.
  • Soil Fertility Decline: The overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has led to soil degradation, reducing its fertility and the overall health of the ecosystem.
  • Pesticide Residue in Water: The widespread use of pesticides has contaminated water sources,impacting both the environment and human health.
  • Exporting Environmental Costs: By exporting large quantities of food, India is essentially exporting its natural resources (water and soil quality), which further depletes the country’s environmental capital.

Addressing the Issue Through Policy Reforms and Scientific Collaboration

  • Policy Reforms: The government needs to rethink its agricultural subsidy structure, shifting from input-based to output-based subsidies, which would incentivize eco-friendly farming practices and support local, traditional crop varieties.
  • Role of Scientific Research: Collaboration between non-profit organisations, scientific bodies, and agricultural experts is crucial to studying and testing the resilience and productivity of traditional wheat and rice varieties.
  • Pilot Projects and Testing: Pilot testing traditional varieties and new farming methods will provide data and insights to inform future policy changes. It’s essential to test these methods at scale to determine their feasibility in the face of climate change.
  • Inclusive Policy Design: Involving farmers and experts in the process of policy formulation and testing ensures that solutions are practical and can be effectively implemented at the ground level.

Conclusion:

India’s agricultural system, built on outdated policies, is facing environmental challenges. Shifting subsidies toward output-based incentives and supporting local crop varieties can mitigate these issues. While transitioning requires careful evaluation, such changes could lead to more sustainable, climate-resilient farming practices, benefiting both the economy and environment.

Source: Mint

Mains Practice Question:

Critically analyse the implications of shifting from input-based to output-based agricultural subsidies in India. Discuss how this could impact the environment, food production, and sustainability.