The Indian agricultural sector performed well but requires reorientation: Ecological Survey

Indian agriculture has performed well, but the sector requires "re-orientation" in the face of certain challenges such as the adverse effects of climate change, rising input costs, and so on, according to the Economic Survey for 2022-23, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday. Other challenges include land fragmentation, suboptimal farm mechanization, low productivity, disguised unemployment, rising input costs, and so on. "While Indian agriculture has performed well, the sector requires re-orientation in the face of certain challenges...," the report stated. The Survey stated that the performance of the agriculture sector remains critical to the country's growth and employment and that investment in the sector must be encouraged through an affordable, timely, and inclusive approach to credit delivery. It should be noted that the agriculture sector employs more than 75% of rural female workers. This implies a need to upskill and employ women in agricultural-related industries such as food processing.

Indian agriculture has performed well, but the sector requires "re-orientation" in the face of certain challenges such as the adverse effects of climate change, rising input costs, and so on, according to the Economic Survey for 2022-23, which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday. Other challenges include land fragmentation, suboptimal farm mechanization, low productivity, disguised unemployment, rising input costs, and so on.

"While Indian agriculture has performed well, the sector requires re-orientation in the face of certain challenges...," the report stated.

The Survey stated that the performance of the agriculture sector remains critical to the country's growth and employment and that investment in the sector must be encouraged through an affordable, timely, and inclusive approach to credit delivery.

It should be noted that the agriculture sector employs more than 75% of rural female workers. This implies a need to upskill and employ women in agricultural-related industries such as food processing.

"Here, self-help groups (SHGs) can play an important role in shaping rural women's potential into concrete developmental outcomes such as financial inclusion, livelihood diversification, and skill development," according to the Survey.

According to the Survey, the agriculture sector has grown at a 4.6 percent annual rate over the last six years. It increased by 3% in 2021-22, compared to 3.3% in 2020-21.

In recent years, India has also rapidly emerged as a net agricultural exporter. Agricultural exports will reach an all-time high of USD 50.2 billion in 2021-22.

According to the Survey, this growth is due in part to good monsoon years and in part to various government reforms aimed at increasing agricultural productivity.

Soil Health Cards, the Micro Irrigation Fund, and organic and natural farming have all assisted farmers in optimizing resource use and lowering cultivation costs. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) extension platform have empowered farmers, increased their resources, and allowed them to earn a good living.

Also Read:- Soil Health Card Scheme- 2022