The Vice President expressed profound concern at the ongoing distress of farmers in India, marking it as one of the major existential threats to India’s march towards development.
Speaking at the 100th celebration of the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, or CIRCOT, in Mumbai, Dhankhar mentioned the paradox of farmers’ struggles persisting despite the existence of agricultural institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
What Are the Key Issues in Agriculture?
Vice President Dhankhar was always aware of the various challenges farmers face in terms of returns for their produce, dependence on the monsoons, and a limited supply of quality inputs.
He mentioned that not only should farmers receive a fair price for their (agricultural) produce, but systemic changes should also take place for their lives to improve further.
Dhankhar opined that there is a need to work towards bridging the gap between technology and its application; farmers must be able to provide the facility for their innovative research and implementations through institutions like ICAR in lieu of any transfer of technology.
Apt Attention to Cotton Farming
The speaker drew attention to specific challenges in the cotton trade, one of India’s key cash crops. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who spoke on the same platform, has been urging an overhaul of the approach that currently dominates cotton farming practices as a priority.
He called for more affordable, better-quality cotton seeds and a strategic roadmap for technological improvements until 2047.
Despite being the most significant world cotton producer, India has faced the problem of low productivity. Reports suggest that India’s cotton yield needs to match the world average due to improper land usage, antiquated farming methods, and pest infestation.
Call for Collaborative Solutions
Dhankhar drew attention to the integral role of policy makers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders in opening communicative dialogue with farmers. He proposed incentivizing value addition in agriculture, like processing and marketing, which can help farmers earn better returns and boost the rural economy.
Statistics and Solutions
Contribution of Agriculture: The agricultural sector in India employs more than half of the entire workforce but contributes only 17% to the gross domestic product, signaling a productivity gap.
Income of Farmers: The average monthly earnings of agrarian households in India are quite low, forcing them to continue relying on various subsidies and loans.
Government Support: Programs such as PM-KISAN and Kisan Credit Card are designed to alleviate financial pressure, though experts contend that those programs must be complemented by market reforms and better provisions for crop insurance.
Dhankhar’s speech reiterated the importance of agriculture for India’s development. The holistic consideration of farmers’ problems should include technological innovations, better market linkages, and sustainable farming practices.
The Vice President appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate and uplift agriculture, saying, “A nation cannot thrive on its own if the farmer is not thriving.”
By considering farmers’ welfare, India will be able to develop a resilient and prosperous agricultural economy that serves both rural and urban populations.
