Answer:

India is an agrarian nation where half of population is still dependent on agriculture and allied sectors for livelihood. But its GDP contribution is around 19% (2014-15). Also there is a huge disparity in land distribution with average landholding size of 0.2 ha, majority of whom are small and marginal farmers. However, since the merger of global economies many new issues are arising while many old ones are getting more concerning which is evident from the logjam in Doha round of WTO negotiations. Some of the priority challenges and their possible solutions are discussed as follows:

♤ Food and nutritional security: Though government has given statutory status to food security covering around 67% of population, our main focus has been on making available staple food comprising of cereals – wheat and paddy. Also, there are many issues regarding access to these food items. On account of nutritional security, we have launched few missions focusing on increasing production of oilseeds and pulses – like Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds, Pulses, Oilpalm and Maize (ISOPOM) and the latest push has been given through launch of Protein mission in annual budget 2014-15, but tangible benefits are yet to be achieved as we are still importing them. Also, there are major problems in extension program regarding the transfer of the technology from research institutions to the farmers’ field.

♤ Increasing Farm Income: Focus must be diverted from just increasing crop production to farm income, which includes income from livestock, poultry and other related agricultural enterprises. However, this has not been encouraging on

account of institutional drawbacks, lack of access to modern technology, market information which needs to be corrected.

♤ Poverty Alleviation: India resides in villages – main source of income agriculture – lack of synergy between Policy initiatives, technology extension and welfare program results in persistent poverty among rural population.

♤ Minimizing the crop production risks on account of climate change: Climate change is the reality and since India is an agrarian economy, we have lot of reasons to be concerned…lack of awareness among the farmers, slow pace of R&D in development of Good Farming Practices – climate resilient agriculture.

Some remedial measures to tackle above mentioned challenges on priority basis:

♤ Increasing agricultural productivity - focusing on the technology development and its effective dissemination; focus on access to inputs in timely manner along with attention to output sector.

♤ Attention to rainfed regions of India – can constitute Rainfed Authority of India –

focus on crop diversification, availability of modern technology.

♤ Linking farmers with markets with least possible intermediaries.

♤ Increasing investment in agriculture, especially in new potential areas like North east, collaboration with private sector with proper legal reforms creating conducive environment.

♤ The introduction of climate-smart agriculture to adapt the sector to changing environment and climate characteristics.

♤ All the above measures should inter alia include the sustainable development approach – tackling climate change challenges.