Emphasis on agriculture and rural development in modi 3.0

Syllabus:

GS-2: Government Policies & Interventions

GS-3: Inclusive GrowthGrowth & Development

Focus:

The Modi 3.0 government, in its first 100 days, has emphasised agriculture and rural development through the continuation of schemes like PM-KISAN and the introduction of seven new agricultural initiatives. With a focus on digitalization, climate resilience, and rural infrastructure, these steps aim to bolster the rural economy and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Overview of Modi 3.0’s Initial Agricultural Focus:

  • Ministerial Changes: Narendra Modi’s third term saw the appointment of Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the new Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with additional responsibilities for rural development. Chouhan, a veteran in agricultural reform from his tenure as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, signals a strong focus on this sector.
  • Initial Plans and Budget: Despite a reduced parliamentary majority, the Modi 3.0 government prioritised agriculture and rural development. The commitment to the PM-KISAN scheme, which provides Rs 6,000 annually to eligible farmers, continues without adjustment for inflation. The Union Budget 2024-25 maintained similar funding levels for agricultural R&D, indicating a stable approach.

Provisions Related to Rural Development in India:

Constitutional Provisions:

  • Article 40: Directs the State to organise village panchayats and empower them as self-governing units.
  • 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992):Established Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to promote grassroots democracy and rural development.
  • Eleventh Schedule: Assigns 29 functions to PRIs, including agricultural extension, land reforms, and land improvement.

Governance:

  • Central Government: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj oversees PRI policies and implementation.
  • State Government: State Departments of Rural Development handle rural programs’ planning and execution.
  • Local Government: PRIs are responsible for implementing local development programs.

Major Drivers of Rural India’s Growth Recently:

  • Rising Disposable Income: Lower food expenditure (46%) and increased spending on conveyance (7.55%) indicate higher rural income and employment opportunities.
  • Agricultural Reforms: Modern technologies and schemes like Soil Health Cards and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana have boosted productivity.
  • Rural Infrastructure: Programs like PMGSY and DAY-NRLM have improved connectivity and economic activities.
  • Entrepreneurship and Skills: Initiatives like SVEP promote rural startups and skill development.
  • Financial Inclusion: PMJDY and Mudra Yojana enhance access to banking and credit services.
  • Digital Connectivity: BharatNet and CSCs enable e-governance and digital services.
  • Healthcare and Sanitation: Ayushman Bharat and Swachh Bharat Mission improve rural health and sanitation.

Introduction of Seven New Agricultural Schemes:

  • Scheme Overview: The government approved seven new schemes aimed at improving agriculture, including:
    • Digitalization of Agriculture: Modernising land records and farmer identification.
    • Crop Science: Enhancing food and nutrition security amidst climate change.
    • Horticulture: Promoting nutrition and profitability.
    • Livestock Health: Focusing on sustainability and productivity.
    • Natural Resource Management: Building climate resilience and environmental cleanliness.
    • Agricultural Education: Developing skilled human resources through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
  • Financial Commitment: Approximately Rs 14,000 crore is allocated for these schemes, with implementation expected over the next two to three years. Successful execution could yield substantial economic and political benefits.

Digitalization of Agriculture

  • Current Challenges: The digitalization initiative aims to address issues like identifying tenant versus owner-operators, with current estimates of tenancy potentially much higher than official figures suggest. Tenants face barriers in accessing institutional credit and benefits under PM-KISAN.
  • Data Integration: Effective digitalization requires comprehensive data on crop types, insurance status, fertiliser usage, soil health, and food subsidies. Integrating these fragmented data sets into a unified agricultural framework could enhance resource efficiency and reduce costs.

Impact of Digitalization on Agricultural Efficiency:

  • Potential Savings: By triangulating various data sets, the government could optimise fertiliser and food subsidy allocations. This approach could lead to significant savings and increased efficiency in public expenditure.
  • High Returns on Investment: Digitalization promises substantial returns, potentially exceeding ten times the investment. This boost in efficiency would benefit the agricultural sector and improve public resource management.

Rural Housing and Employment Opportunities:

  • Housing Initiative: Modi 3.0 plans to build an additional 20 million houses in rural areas with government support. This initiative aims to enhance living conditions, dignity, and hygiene for rural populations.
  • Job Creation: The housing project will generate employment opportunities for masons, carpenters, and electricians in rural areas, stimulating the local economy and providing essential services.

Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth:

  • Road Investment: Under the PM-Gram Sadak Yojana, the government intends to invest Rs 75,000 crore in rural roads. Research shows that investing in rural infrastructure has high returns in terms of agricultural GDP growth and poverty reduction.
  • Market Access: Improved roads will open up markets for rural producers, enhancing economic opportunities and contributing to overall rural development.

Challenges:

  • Inadequate Support for Tenant Farmers: Tenant farmers often lack documentation, preventing them from accessing institutional credit and PM-KISAN benefits, which limits agricultural profitability.
  • Fragmented Agricultural Data: Currently, agricultural data is scattered across various sources (e.g., soil health cards, crop insurance), making it difficult to create cohesive and efficient policies.
  • Limited Financial Allocation: The expected increase in the PM-KISAN scheme and agricultural R&D allocations didn’t materialise, leaving concerns about the sufficiency of funding to address climate change and technological advancements.
  • Implementation Delays: Schemes, especially those involving digitalization, require quick and effective implementation to achieve desired outcomes. Delays could negate potential benefits.
  • Subsidy Misallocation: The existing subsidy structure may not be efficient, with farmers receiving food subsidies for crops they already produce, leading to wastage of public resources.
  • Rural Infrastructure Gaps: While investment in housing and roads is promising, the challenge lies in executing these projects on time and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
  • Climate Vulnerabilities: Without robust climate-resilient agricultural practices, farming communities remain highly susceptible to environmental disruptions.

Way Forward:

  • Farmer Identification: A comprehensive digital registry of both owner-operators and tenant farmers is crucial to ensure equitable access to benefits.
  • Integrated Data Systems: Creating an agri-stack that consolidates various datasets will improve policy-making and resource allocation.
  • Increase Financial Support: Revisiting funding allocations for PM-KISAN and agricultural R&D to meet inflationary needs and support innovation.
  • Fast-Track Digitalization: Accelerate the digitization process to enhance agricultural efficiency and profitability.
  • Subsidy Reforms: Reevaluate the subsidy structure to ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed, reducing unnecessary spending.
  • Strengthen Rural Infrastructure: Timely and quality execution of housing and rural road projects to create jobs and boost the rural economy.
  • Promote Climate-Resilient Farming: Increase investments in climate-resilient practices to safeguard agriculture against environmental shocks.

Conclusion:

Modi 3.0’s emphasis on agriculture and rural development demonstrates a clear commitment to improving the livelihoods of rural populations. Through new schemes, digitization efforts, housing projects, and infrastructure investments, the government aims to drive economic growth and enhance efficiency in public spending. These initiatives reflect a strategic approach to addressing key challenges in agriculture and rural devel

Source: Indian Express

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the significance of the Modi 3.0 government’s initiatives in agriculture, particularly the digitalization of farming and rural development, in achieving economic growth and climate resilience in India’s rural sector.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/chapter-13-agriculture/