Indian agriculture has made monumental strides since the 1950s, evolving from a “begging bowl” era of dependency on food imports to a self-sufficient powerhouse. This transformation was highlighted by Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, during the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Lecture series hosted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation on Monday.
In his lecture titled ‘Indian Agriculture: Shortage to Surplus,’ Mr. Pathak traced the nation’s agricultural journey. Over the decades, India has achieved a sixfold increase in food grain production despite the area of cultivation remaining largely unchanged. This success is attributed to technological innovations and modernization efforts, underscoring the role of science and technology in boosting productivity and ensuring food security.
However, even with these achievements, challenges persist. The rise in oil seed production has not kept pace with growing domestic consumption, necessitating continued imports. Beyond this, global issues such as climate change, natural calamities, and the high cost of production threaten the sustainability of agricultural growth.
Pathak outlays Roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047
Mr. Pathak emphasized the need for transformative initiatives to propel Indian agriculture towards the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. This vision involves not just producing more but producing smarter. Key focus areas include:
- Organic Farming: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce chemical dependency and enhance soil health.
- Climate-Resilient Technologies: Developing and deploying innovative methods to withstand climate variability.
- Climate-Smart Villages: Establishing models of integrated development where modern agriculture coexists with traditional wisdom.
- Digital Agriculture: Leveraging artificial intelligence, IoT, and big data to optimize farming processes and ensure precision farming.
- R&D Collaborations: Fostering partnerships between academic institutions, industry players, and farmers to drive innovation and practical application.
These efforts align with a broader shift from focusing solely on crop yields to building holistic food systems. Mr. Pathak also highlighted the development of 150 bio-fortified crop varieties to address nutritional deficiencies, ensuring that agricultural advancements contribute directly to public health.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, addressing the high costs of production remains a critical barrier. Climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities, and global market fluctuations impact farmer incomes. Nevertheless, the ongoing shift toward sustainable and technology-driven agriculture offers hope for bridging these gaps.
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Indian agriculture stands at the cusp of another revolution—one driven not just by quantity but by quality, resilience, and sustainability. As the nation marches toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the integration of agrotech and traditional practices promises to secure the future of farming, ensuring food security for generations to come.
