Experts’ Speak - Protect Our Livelihood
Digitisation of agriculture has to go way beyond just identifying farmers. It needs to know what crops they are growing, whether they are insured or not, how much fertilisers they are using, what is the status of their soils, and whether they are also receiving food subsidy (free rice and wheat) etc. What is needed is a triangulation of various data sets related to agriculture, which are fragmented today, into a common agri-stack. 
The Budget 2024-25 sets the stage for significant advancements in the agricultural sector, but the true test lies in its implementation. The government’s ability to address the underlying issues — such as digital literacy, climate resilience, and equitable access to resources — will determine whether these initiatives can deliver on their promise of fostering sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth. The road to 2047 presents both challenges and opportunities for Indian agriculture. By embracing sustainable practices, leveraging technological innovations, and implementing strategic initiatives, India can enhance farmer incomes, meet the food demands of its growing population, and achieve inclusive, sustainable development. In Shivraj Singh Chauhan, India finally has an agriculture minister who, like Sharad Pawar in the previous United Progressive Alliance dispensation, has both understanding and passion for the sector. He's well-equipped to deal with two primary challenges that Indian agriculture faces today - climate change (especially heat waves and irregular rainfall patterns) and making farming remunerative in order to retain talent in the countryside India must move to high-value agriculture (poultry, fishery, dairy, fruits and vegetables) with a value chain approach, from plate to plough — a demand-driven system. For that we need to think of policies and institutions through which our farmers can access pan-India markets, and even export markets on a regular basis, be it through cooperatives or farmer producer organisation (FPOs) on digital commerce platforms (like eNAM or ONDC) or though contract farming with large processors, retailers, and exporters. Precision agriculture not only boosts yield but also contributes to the long-term health of the soil, extending farmland fertility. This practice, which demands a more precise application of inputs, results in lower costs for farmers. Simultaneously, enhanced productivity and improved crop quality enable farmers to command higher incomes. India needs to adopt a two-pronged strategy with respect to water in agriculture. First, on the supply side, it must augment buffer stocking of water during the monsoon season in its reservoirs, and recharge groundwater through check dams and watersheds, etc. Second, it must work on the demand side to ensure more rational allocation and efficient use of water across crops. M S Swaminathan is no more. But his legacy remains with every student and scientist of agriculture. He is most widely known for working with Norman Borlaug to usher in the Green Revolution in India in the mid-1960s when India was facing back-to-back droughts. Millions would have died of starvation if the country had not experienced the Green Revolution. Integrating livestock and crops, a common practice in the past, is a viable option that all farmers should adopt. This approach offers multidimensional benefits, including income security, continued availability of animal manure, and reduced dependency on crops for livelihoods. Government incentives, awareness campaigns, and training programmes can help farmers revive this approach. Ineffective implementation of MSP and ‘non-procurement’ of all the crops at the MSP is also one of the main concerns of farmers. Such a scenario builds a strong rationale for giving ‘legal status’ to MSP as it is the floor or reference price. This does not imply that the government should procure all those crops but would certainly bind the private players to procure those crops at least at the MSP.