GRSV Blog No. 2,
Released on 26/08/2018,
The Prime Minister of India has called for doubling farmers’ income by 2022, coinciding with Platinum Jubilee of India’s independence. As a precursor to this historic declaration, significant budgetary provisions have been made for priority programs such as: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanchayee Yojana, Gram Jyoti Yojana, Faisal Bima Yojana and E-National Agriculture Market. Recently, several national and international research and development institutions and think-tanks such as NITI Aayog, Indian Council of Food and Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics have developed various strategic papers on transforming Indian Agriculture, and suggested key programs to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision. Also, various government ministries, State agricultural departments, agricultural science and technology organizations and professional societies have been gearing towards meeting this challenging goal.
There is an ongoing discussion among agricultural technologists, politicians and general public on whether the Prime Minister’s target could be achieved or not. The general consensus seems to be that doubling farmers’ income by 2022 is an ambitious, if not impossible target. Many economists feel “it depends” on many factors, but mostly on the efficient and effective implementation of programs. We tend to agree with this conclusion. However, the evolution of Indian agriculture over the years from “begging bowl to bread basket” through the Green, White and Blue Revolutions has shown that India can indeed meet such challenges. We believe that though the present distress in Indian farming community, coupled with continuing challenges of drought, rural youth migration and climate and market risks is not encouraging, there is potential for another agricultural revolution, especially if intensification, monsoon and market risks aversion and diversification with high value agriculture is focused on. However, as Nobel laureate Dr. Borlaug once said the “potential” cannot be eaten unless it is translated into on-the ground reality. Filling this large gap between “potential” and “actual” indeed is the monumental challenge for a vast, diverse and dynamic country like India.
To demonstrate the potential on-the ground, we recommend that initially a few representative production systems should be identified through production ecological approach. A focused and concerted science and technology programs should be introduced in these “pilot” (selected special agricultural zones-SAZs) areas where components of the production-processing-marketing-consumption chain can be developed in a participatory mode. Each such pilot program should be implemented by a well-coordinated interdisciplinary team of research and development/extension systems, policy makers and farmers’ organizations with well-developed business plans. This should be supported by an efficient input and an output market chain. A vibrant market economy with effective economic policies is essential to link farmers to markets and making targeted farmer families income secure. For the process of doubling farmers’ income to be participatory, it must include all relevant actors -from policy makers, researchers, financial institutions, input providers to farmers in the fields. Increased productivity without accompanied pricing policy and marketing facilitation will not lead to increased incomes.
Nothing succeeds like success, and hence the initial pilot programs should be developed where there is scientific, political and ecological enabling environment conducive to make the dream into reality, with appropriate guidelines for it to be replicated in other contexts. Vastly improved access to information and communication technology, along with activities that lead to smart agriculture, is also essential. For each pilot program a local farmers’ advisory council with both women and men should be constituted to take the ownership and undertaking monitoring and evaluation. Needless to mention, each pilot program should be lead by visionary, dedicated and dynamic leadership.
About 50 years ago, a similar pilot program: Intensive Agricultural Development Program (IADP) led to Green Revolution. The program then was “crop and production” centric focusing on food self sufficiency. The present pilot program should be “farmer and income” centric. Will the history repeat itself and achieve another agricultural revolution?
S.V.R. Shetty
Co-Founder, GRSV Consulting Services