Question
What are the problems of Indian agriculture? Discuss the measures to solve these problems.
Answer
Some of the problems of Indian agriculture are:
- Fragmentation of land: The landholdings in India are small and fragmented, which leads to low productivity and inefficient use of resources.
- Dependence on monsoon: Agriculture in India is heavily dependent on the monsoon, which is often unpredictable and erratic. This leads to crop failure and a loss of income for farmers.
- Lack of irrigation facilities: Only about 50% of the net sown area in India is irrigated, which leads to lower crop yields and productivity.
- Soil degradation: Soil degradation due to excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and water is a major problem in India, leading to decreased productivity and land degradation.
Some of the measures that can be taken to solve these problems are:
- Land consolidation: Consolidating small and fragmented landholdings can lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and economies of scale.
- Diversification of crops: Farmers can be encouraged to diversify their crops to reduce the risk of crop failure and to take advantage of changing market conditions.
- Irrigation facilities: Investment in irrigation facilities such as canals, wells, and tube wells can lead to increased crop yields and productivity.
- Soil conservation: The use of sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, and agroforestry can help reduce soil degradation.
