Record Rice Production in 2024-25 Kharif Season

The 2024-25 Kharif season has marked an important milestone in Indian agriculture. Rice production is estimated to reach a record high of approximately 120 million tonnes. This figure represents the highest yield in the last eleven years. The increase is attributed to favourable weather conditions during the southwest monsoon, which experienced above-normal rainfall. Conversely, Kharif pulses production has seen a substantial decline, reaching its lowest level in nine years.

Record High Rice Production

The estimated rice production of 120 million tonnes is 5.8 per cent higher than the previous year’s figures. This increase is largely due to enhanced rainfall and the effective use of the Digital Crop Survey (DCS). The DCS aims to provide accurate crop area estimates and has replaced the traditional manual Girdawari system. States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha have fully embraced this digital approach, resulting in increased rice acreage.

Decline in Kharif Pulses

Kharif pulses production is projected at around 7 million tonnes, marking the lowest output in nearly a decade. The decline is primarily due to reduced acreage and adverse weather conditions. Urad (black gram) production has dropped from 1.6 million tonnes to 1.2 million tonnes, a decrease of 25 per cent. Meanwhile, moong (green gram) production has improved slightly but remains below average.

Overall Kharif Foodgrains Output

The total output of Kharif foodgrains is estimated at a record 164.7 million tonnes. This figure is an increase of 8.9 million tonnes compared to the previous year and 12.4 million tonnes above the average production. Key contributors to this rise include rice, jowar (sorghum), and maize. However, crops such as pulses and millets have experienced declines, denoting a shift in agricultural productivity.

Non-Foodgrains and Oilseeds Production

In addition to foodgrains, oilseeds production is projected to be 6.5 per cent higher than last year. However, crops like sugarcane, cotton, and jute have seen a decline in production. This mixed performance across different crop categories indicates variability in agricultural success and challenges faced by farmers.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Examine the impact of the Digital Crop Survey on agricultural productivity in India.
2. Critically discuss the factors leading to the decline in Kharif pulses production in 2024-25.
3. Analyse the significance of the Kharif season for India’s overall food security.
4. Estimate the potential long-term effects of climate variability on Kharif crop yields.
5. Point out the challenges faced by farmers in maintaining the production of traditional pulses.

1. Examine the impact of the Digital Crop Survey on agricultural productivity in India.

The Digital Crop Survey (DCS) represents an important advancement in agricultural practices in India, aimed at enhancing productivity through accurate data collection and analysis. The DCS utilizes modern technology to gather crop area estimates, replacing the traditional manual Girdawari system, which was often prone to inaccuracies. The introduction of the DCS has several key impacts on agricultural productivity:

1. Improved Accuracy: The DCS provides precise data on crop acreage, allowing for better planning and resource allocation. Accurate data helps in assessing the actual production capacity of regions, enabling governments and stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding support and interventions.
2. Enhanced Resource Management: With accurate estimates, farmers can better manage inputs such as fertilizers, water, and seeds. This leads to optimized use of resources, reducing waste and increasing overall productivity.
3. Policy Formulation: The data collected through DCS aids policymakers in devising effective agricultural policies and programs tailored to specific regional needs. This can include subsidies, crop insurance, and support for sustainable practices.
4. Increased Investment: Reliable data encourages investment in agriculture, as investors and stakeholders can assess risks and opportunities more effectively. This investment can lead to technological advancements and infrastructure improvements.
5. Capacity Building: The DCS encourages collaboration between state governments and farmers, promoting training and awareness about modern agricultural practices. This capacity building can lead to a more knowledgeable farming community that is better equipped to adapt to changing conditions.

Overall, the DCS is a transformative tool that enhances agricultural productivity by promoting data-driven decision-making, ultimately contributing to food security and economic stability in India.

2. Critically discuss the factors leading to the decline in Kharif pulses production in 2024-25.

The decline in Kharif pulses production in 2024-25 can be attributed to a combination of agronomic, climatic, and economic factors:

1. Reduced Acreage: One of the primary reasons for the decline is the reduction in the area dedicated to pulse cultivation. Farmers often prioritize more lucrative crops, such as rice and maize, which offer better returns, leading to a shift away from pulses.
2. Adverse Weather Conditions: Excessive rainfall during critical growth periods has negatively impacted pulse production. Pulses are sensitive to waterlogging, which can hinder germination and growth, resulting in lower yields.
3. Pest and Disease Pressure: Pulses are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can thrive in humid conditions. The 2024-25 season may have seen an uptick in such pressures, further exacerbating yield declines.
4. Market Dynamics: Fluctuations in market prices can disincentivize pulse cultivation. If market prices are perceived as unfavorable, farmers may choose to allocate their resources to crops with higher profitability.
5. Limited Access to Technology: Many pulse farmers lack access to modern agricultural technologies and practices that could enhance productivity. This gap can lead to lower yields and a reluctance to invest in pulse cultivation.

In this way, the decline in Kharif pulses production is a multifaceted issue influenced by economic incentives, environmental conditions, and agricultural practices. Addressing these factors is crucial for restoring pulse production levels and ensuring agricultural diversity.

3. Analyse the significance of the Kharif season for India’s overall food security.

The Kharif season is of paramount importance to India’s food security for several reasons:

1. Diverse Crop Production: The Kharif season is characterized by the cultivation of a variety of crops, including rice, pulses, and oilseeds. This diversity is crucial for a balanced diet and nutritional security for the population.
2. Contribution to Total Food Production: The Kharif season contributes to India’s overall food grain production. In 2024-25, Kharif foodgrains were projected at 164.7 million tonnes, underscoring its role in meeting the food demands of a growing population.
3. Employment Generation: The Kharif season provides employment to millions of farmers and agricultural laborers. This employment is vital for rural economies and helps alleviate poverty in agrarian communities.
4. Impact on Pricing Stability: The success of Kharif crops can influence market prices for food commodities. A good Kharif season can stabilize prices and ensure affordability for consumers, contributing to food security.
5. Buffer Against Climate Variability: Kharif crops, particularly rice, are often cultivated in regions with high rainfall. This reliance on monsoon patterns marks the need for robust agricultural practices to mitigate risks associated with climate variability.

Thus, the Kharif season is integral to India’s food security framework, influencing production levels, employment, and market stability. Ensuring the sustainability of Kharif agriculture is essential for maintaining food security in the face of growing challenges.

4. Estimate the potential long-term effects of climate variability on Kharif crop yields.

Climate variability poses long-term risks to Kharif crop yields, with potential effects that could reshape agricultural practices and food security in India:

1. Altered Rainfall Patterns: Changes in monsoon patterns can lead to either excessive rainfall or drought conditions. Both extremes can adversely affect Kharif crops, especially water-sensitive varieties like rice and pulses, leading to reduced yields.
2. Increased Pest and Disease Incidence: Warmer temperatures and humidity can create favorable conditions for pests and diseases. This could lead to higher crop losses and necessitate increased use of pesticides, impacting both yield and sustainability.
3. Soil Degradation: Erratic weather can exacerbate soil erosion and degradation. This deterioration can diminish soil fertility over time, leading to lower productivity and the need for more chemical fertilizers to maintain yields.
4. Shift in Crop Viability: As climatic conditions change, certain crops may become less viable in traditional Kharif regions. Farmers may need to adapt by shifting to more resilient varieties or different crops altogether, which could disrupt existing agricultural systems.
5. Food Security Threats: The cumulative effects of climate variability can threaten food security by reducing the predictability of yields. This unpredictability can lead to food shortages, increased prices, and greater reliance on imports.

In this way, the long-term effects of climate variability on Kharif crop yields are deep and multifaceted, affecting everything from agricultural practices to food security. Proactive measures, including research into climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming practices, are essential to mitigate these risks.

5. Point out the challenges faced by farmers in maintaining the production of traditional pulses.

Farmers face several challenges in maintaining the production of traditional pulses, which are critical for nutritional security and agricultural biodiversity:

1. Market Viability: Pulses often have lower market prices compared to staple crops like rice and wheat. This economic factor discourages farmers from cultivating pulses, leading to reduced acreage and production.
2. Input Costs: The rising costs of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pest control can deter farmers from investing in pulse cultivation. Many farmers operate on tight margins, making it difficult to justify the investment in traditional pulses.
3. Climate Vulnerability: Pulses are sensitive to climatic conditions, and erratic weather patterns can lead to crop failures. Farmers often lack access to reliable weather forecasts and adaptive technologies to mitigate these risks.
4. Pest and Disease Management: Traditional pulses are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Farmers may struggle to manage these threats effectively due to limited access to modern pest control methods and lack of knowledge about integrated pest management practices.
5. Policy Support: There is often insufficient government support for pulse cultivation compared to major crops. This lack of focus can result in inadequate research, development, and financial assistance for pulse farmers.

Thus, the challenges faced by farmers in maintaining the production of traditional pulses are complex and interrelated. Addressing these challenges through targeted policies, improved market access, and sustainable agricultural practices is essential for preserving pulse cultivation and ensuring food security.