According to an RBI article on farm sector problems, India needs a second green revolution combined with the next wave of reforms to make agriculture more climate-resistant and environmentally sustainable. “New emergent issues necessitate a second green revolution together with next-generation reforms,” the report concluded, noting that Indian agriculture had shown amazing endurance throughout the COVID-19 period.
Despite the country’s production success, food inflation and volatility remain a challenge, requiring supply-side interventions such as increased public investment, storage infrastructure, and food processing promotion, according to the article titled ‘Indian Agriculture: Achievements and Challenges.’
According to the article, during the COVID-19 period, Indian agriculture reached new heights with record output of diverse foodgrains, commercial and horticulture crops, demonstrating resilience and assuring food security.
“However, the industry has faced a number of obstacles, the mitigating of which necessitates a comprehensive policy response,” it stated.
Crop productivity in India, for example, is substantially lower than in other advanced and developing market economies due to a variety of variables such as fragmented landholdings, poorer farm mechanisation, and lower public and private agricultural investment.
Second, the report stated that present overproduction of commodities such as rice, wheat, and sugarcane has resulted in rapid groundwater depletion, soil degradation, and huge air pollution, raising concerns about the environmental sustainability of India’s existing agricultural methods.
Moreover, despite abundant supply in many commodities, food inflation and price volatility remain high, producing consumer annoyance and low and variable revenue for farmers.
“To address these issues, a second green revolution focused on the agriculture water-energy nexus would be required, allowing agriculture to become more climate resilient and environmentally sustainable. Biotechnology and breeding will be critical in the development of environmentally friendly, disease-resistant, climate-resilient, more nutritious, and diverse crop types “It was stated.
Increased usage of digital technology and extension services will aid in the exchange of knowledge and raising awareness among farmers.
It also emphasised that better post-harvest loss management and a revitalization of the cooperative movement through the development of Farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) will assist stabilise food prices and farmers’ income, as well as help India’s agriculture reach its full potential.