Key Focus Areas For Indian Agriculture Sector

In the year 2017 total production of food-grains was somewhere around 273.83 million metric tonne. According to a data by World Bank, Indian food-grain production is likely to reach 280.6 million metric tonne by the year 2020-21. This seems to be a reasonable growth for the sector.

However, it is important to mention here the key areas which are and can further help Indian agriculture to grow and achieve the estimated figures.

BW Businessworld presents to you the five key areas which India should focus on to bring Indian agriculture sector to an advantageous position.

1. Demand Strength

As per India Brand Equity Forum, robust demand has made this food-grain production possible. A large population is believed to be a key driver of agrarian demand growth. A rise in urban and rural income can also be termed as a key factor for higher demands. External demands have also got a major role to play, for instance demands from Middle Eastern countries and Central Asian nations.

2. Attractive Opportunities

We should also focus on upcoming opportunities which hold the capability to further this demand. The opportunities which at the moment need attention include hybrid seeds, chemical fertilisers and organic fertilisers.

3. Competitive Advantages

There are few key competitive advantages in India’s current agrarian scenario as well. A high proportion of over 157 million hectares of agrarian land has a huge role to play among various advantages of Indian agriculture. India is the leading producer of Jute, and pulses; largest milk producer; largest buffalo meat exporter; and second largest wheat producer in the world along with paddy. India is also known for its standard productions of few horticulture produces and fruits like grapes and banana.

4. Government Policies

All the above demands, opportunities and competitive advantages are somewhat a result of key policy initiatives by current and previous governments. A key scheme is Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana that has led to development of various organic clusters with very low chemical dependency. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana has also played a major role to irrigate the agrarian lands making the road to agrarian development little smoother. A unified national agricultural market is also a provision aimed at giving boost to India’s growing agrarian economy. A 100 per cent foreign direct investment under automatic route for development of seeds will be a morale booster to farmers as it will give tough competition to domestic advancement of improvement in seed quality and finally a healthy yield.

Government’s policy initiatives to satisfy domestic demands by reducing wheat import duty from 10 per cent to almost zero and capping import limits to two lakh tonnes by importers in pulses has started showing its positive impact on Indian market.

5. Development Of Rabi And Kharif Seasons

India witnesses two major agriculture seasons - Rabi and Kharif. Kharif season is during the period from April to September (summer) and Rabi from October to March (winter). Where Kharif is mainly known for paddy production, Rabi is famous for its wheat production. India has registered a good growth in both the seasons.

During the last two years, Kharif season has witnessed good growth. In March 2017, almost 64.5 million hectares of agricultural land were sown, out of which over 19 million hectares land was insured during Rabi season. More than 16.4 million farmers were benefitted by the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and government is still increasing its reach by adding more and more farmers.

Area sown in Rabi and Kharif seasons will help getting a complete insight of Indian agricultural statistics.