Agricultural Policy Breakthroughs: Enhancing Farmer Support and Growth in India

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Pooja Paswan
July 19, 2024

Agriculture remains a critical sector in India, pivotal for the country’s economic stability and growth. With a significant portion of the population dependent on farming, the focus on agrarian prosperity through comprehensive welfare policies and innovative strategies is paramount.

Commitment to Agricultural Prosperity

A cornerstone of effective agricultural policy is the direct support to farmers. Programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme provide crucial financial assistance to over 93 million farmers. This initiative disburses an annual financial benefit of ₹6000 to eligible farmers, directly into their bank accounts, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Since its inception, PM-KISAN has disbursed over ₹2.60 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers, significantly impacting their lives and livelihoods.

Economic Viability and Remunerative Farming

Making farming economically viable is essential for the sustained growth of the agricultural sector. Policies that ensure fair returns for farmers, such as the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for major crops, are crucial. These measures reduce market risks, boost farmer confidence, and contribute to overall agricultural growth and rural prosperity.

To address the challenges faced by farmers, various measures aim to increase productivity and ensure fair returns for produce. The substantial increase in MSPs provides farmers with predictable income and reduces market risks, ensuring a steady income and reducing financial vulnerabilities.

Strengthening Direct Financial Support and Crop Insurance

The PM-KISAN scheme continues to provide direct financial assistance, promoting transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, offers comprehensive crop insurance coverage against natural calamities. Technological interventions in PMFBY have streamlined the assessment process, expedited claim settlements and improved grievance redressal mechanisms, bolstering farmer confidence in agricultural risk management.

Agricultural Infrastructure Development

Robust agricultural infrastructure is critical for enhancing productivity and market access. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) aims to modernize post-harvest management facilities and community farming assets. This initiative provides medium to long-term debt financing with substantial interest subvention and credit guarantee support, facilitating easier access to credit for farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and cooperatives.

Digital Transformation in Agriculture

Aligned with the Digital India initiative, significant strides have been made towards creating a digital ecosystem in agriculture. The establishment and upgrading of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into digital hubs exemplify this commitment, serving as centers for skill development, best practices dissemination and technological interventions. The expansion of PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras aims to consolidate all agricultural inputs and services under one roof, simplifying access to essential resources for farmers.

Technological Innovations and Sustainable Practices

Integrating technological innovations into agricultural practices is key to enhancing productivity and ensuring sustainable farming practices. Initiatives such as precision farming, the use of drones for crop monitoring and soil health card schemes provide farmers with accurate data and insights for informed decision-making. Additionally, the promotion of organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices aims to ensure long-term ecological balance and reduce the environmental impact of farming activities.

Enhancing Market Access and Farmer Empowerment

Enhancing market access for farmers is crucial to ensuring they receive the best possible prices for their produce. The electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) aims to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities by integrating existing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) across the country. This platform enables farmers to sell their produce at competitive prices, increasing their income and reducing the influence of middlemen.

Promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) empowers farmers collectively, enhancing their negotiating power and ensuring better prices for their produce. FPOs provide a platform for farmers to pool their resources and engage in collective bargaining, improving their socio-economic status.

Moving forward

Effective agricultural policies and reforms play a crucial role in enhancing the welfare and empowerment of farmers through financial support, technological innovation and infrastructure development. Initiatives like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, AIF and the digital transformation in agriculture have significantly transformed India’s agricultural landscape, benefiting millions of farming families and ensuring their sustained progress. The commitment to farmers’ interests is evident in proactive policies aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring fair returns and providing robust financial safety nets. As India moves forward, continued efforts to address new challenges and leverage technological advancements will foster resilience and growth in the agricultural sector, ensuring that the voices of farmers are heard and their contributions recognized in building a prosperous and self-reliant India.

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Author: Pooja Paswan is currently enrolled at the John.F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India. She has Ph. D in Public Administration and specializes in Public Policy. She was recipient of the ASPA 2019 Founders Fellow. She is currently the Book Review Editor at the International Journal of Public Administration IJPA and has worked extensively in the area of development administration and public policy. She can be reached at https://jmi.academia.edu/PoojaPaswan and [email protected]. Twitter @poojapaswan

 

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