The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently addressed the Outlook Agritech Summit and Swaraj Awards 2022. The annual Agritech Summit is a platform for top political leadership, policymakers, thought leaders and companies involved in agriculture-related technology to share knowledge and recognise best practices in Indian agriculture.
The summit also recognises the best performances and innovations in the field of agriculture, with awards given to various Krishi Vikas Kendras, Farmers’ Producers Organisations, and individual scientists. It is organised in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
Highlights of the Address
The Union Minister emphasised the government’s efforts in implementing various schemes to reduce farming challenges and boost farmers’ income. A significant focus is on supporting the 86% of small farmers in India who can’t invest much due to limited acreage.
The government is creating 10,000 new FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisation), which will collectively increase cultivated area and farmers’ power. They are also working to improve the production of pulses and oilseeds, areas that were previously scarce.
Importance of Technology in Agriculture
The agricultural sector faces unique challenges such as dependency on monsoons, small and fragmented farm holdings, lack of mechanisation and scarcity of capital. Technology can prove valuable for managing these issues.
Technology can be used for different aspects of agriculture, like application of herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers, and use of improved seeds. For instance, agricultural biotechnology has enabled crop growth in areas previously deemed unfit.
Genetic engineering has introduced certain strains into other genes of crops or animals, thereby boosting their resistance to pests and droughts. Technology has also helped electrify every process for efficiency and improved production.
Government Initiatives in Agriculture
The government is working on a Digital Agri Mission to establish a platform for farmers to access government schemes, and for the government to reach all the farmers. Other initiatives include linking farmers with mechanisation and promoting drone technology.
Numerous other agriculture-related initiatives are also underway, such as the Palm Oil Mission, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, AgriStack, Unified Farmer Service Platform, National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture, and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.
Challenges and Opportunities in Agriculture
Despite these initiatives, there are still many challenges in the agricultural sector. Strategies must be developed to introduce technology effectively, increase availability of private investment, and create employment opportunities.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a crop insurance scheme launched by the Union Government, is one such initiative that aims to increase farmer resilience. This scheme covers pre-harvest and post-harvest losses arising out of natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
Under this scheme, farmers pay a uniform premium of only 2% for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops, with the balance premium paid by the Government. The scheme also promotes the use of technology to hasten the process of claim payment to farmers and reduce crop cutting experiments.