2 September 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Opening up the field

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Editorial Page; Page: 10)

Topic: GS3– Agriculture

Context:

The article discusses a new agricultural diversification scheme initiated by the Centre and Punjab government, aimed at encouraging farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy cultivation to more sustainable crops.

Introduction: A Positive Step Towards Agricultural Diversification

• The recent initiative by the Centre and Punjab government to diversify agriculture and encourage farmers to shift from paddy cultivation deserves commendation.
• The scheme offers an incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare for farmers to transition to less water-intensive crops during the kharif season, covering up to five hectares per beneficiary.
• Funded jointly by the Centre and the Punjab government in a 60:40 ratio, the scheme’s budget for 2024-25 is Rs 289.87 crore.
• While this initiative marks a significant first step towards sustainable agriculture in the region, it is clear that much more needs to be done to achieve long-term success.

The Challenge of Profitability: Addressing the Subsidy Gap

• While the scheme is a welcome move, the incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare may not be sufficient to entice farmers away from paddy cultivation.
• Research by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) indicates that paddy farmers in Punjab received a subsidy of Rs 38,973 per hectare in 2023-24 for power, canal water, and fertilizer consumption.
• This substantial subsidy makes paddy far more profitable than alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, millets, and maize.
• To make these alternatives attractive, the incentive would need to be doubled to Rs 35,000 per hectare, a cost that could be offset by savings in power and fertilizer subsidies.

Ensuring Long-Term Viability: A Minimum Five-Year Commitment

• For the diversification policy to be effective, it must be sustained over a minimum of five years. The current policy does not clarify whether the Rs 17,500 per hectare incentive is a one-time offer or if it will continue annually.
• A short-term incentive would likely fail to encourage farmers to take the significant risk of switching crops, especially given the potential loss of income after the first year.
• A long-term commitment is essential to building farmer confidence and ensuring the transition away from paddy is sustainable.

The Role of Procurement: Reducing Market Risk for Farmers

• One of the major advantages for paddy farmers in Punjab and Haryana is the assured procurement of their crop by state agencies on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• If farmers switch to other crops like pulses or oilseeds, there is no similar guarantee of procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
• The Centre needs to ensure that agencies like the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) effectively procure these alternative crops at MSP to minimize market risks for farmers.
• Without such assurances, the success of diversification efforts in Punjab and Haryana remains uncertain.

Environmental and Economic Benefits: The Case for Diversification

• The benefits of moving away from paddy cultivation in Punjab and Haryana are well-documented. Diversification would help protect the soil from degradation, conserve groundwater, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote crop biodiversity.
• Paddy cultivation requires significantly more irrigation than alternative crops, contributing to the depletion of groundwater resources.
• Moreover, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with paddy cultivation, coupled with the pollution from rice stubble burning, are major environmental concerns.
• Successfully implementing this diversification scheme could have far-reaching positive impacts on agricultural sustainability in the region and beyond.

A Call for Bold Action: Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Future

• To make diversification a reality, a more substantial and coordinated effort is required from the Centre and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana.
• A reorientation of subsidy policies towards a more crop-neutral incentive structure is needed. Additionally, the Centre should consider purchasing alternative crops at MSP to provide a reliable market for farmers who choose to diversify.
• This would not require additional government expenditure but would rather redirect existing funds set aside for paddy procurement.
• Transitioning just one million hectares away from paddy could free up significant resources, which could then be used to support the procurement of alternative crops and stabilize their markets.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

• The proposed agricultural diversification scheme has the potential to bring about significant environmental and economic benefits.
• However, its success depends on the willingness of the Centre and state governments to make bold policy changes, provide long-term support, and ensure market stability for alternative crops.
• By doing so, they can pave the way for a more sustainable agricultural future in Punjab, Haryana, and across India.

What are the Steps Taken by the Government Regarding Crop Diversification?

Crop Diversification Programme:  The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing the Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) since 2013-14, as part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), specifically targeting the Original Green Revolution States- Haryana, Punjab, and Western Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims to shift focus from water-intensive paddy cultivation to alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, and cotton. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. Increase in MSP for Kharif Crops:  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif crops for the Marketing Season 2023-24. Mera Pani-Meri Virasat Scheme (Haryana):  It offers financial aid to farmers transitioning from paddy cultivation to water-saving alternatives like pulses, oilseeds, millets, and vegetables.

PYQ: Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?  (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2017)

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with agricultural diversification in Punjab and Haryana. What policy measures are required to ensure the success of such initiatives? (250 words/15 m)

2. Counting to divide

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 11)

Topic: GS2– Governance

Context:

The article discusses the potential risks and implications of conducting a caste Census in India.

Introduction: Persistence of Caste-Based Identities in Rural India

• Recent election results in parts of rural India reveal the enduring influence of caste-based identities, which continue to triumph over development-focused agendas even decades after independence.
• This persistence suggests that while affirmative action has improved the socio-economic conditions of marginalized groups, it has not succeeded in eliminating caste-based loyalties.

The Debate Over a Caste Census: Potential Benefits and Risks

• With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returning with fewer seats and some allies supporting the idea, the government may consider conducting a caste Census.
• Proponents argue that counting caste groups could help shape policies aligned with the aspirations of different communities.
• However, there are concerns that such an exercise could deepen social divisions, entrench identity politics, and weaken national unity.

Historical Context: Lessons from the Colonial Era

• The inclusion of religion in the Census during British rule, and the creation of separate electorates, had a divisive impact on Indian society, contributing to the eventual Partition.
• Similarly, adding caste to Census data today could exacerbate social tensions and derail efforts to build a casteless society.
• Historical precedents demonstrate the dangers of using Census classifications to solidify social identities, which can lead to long-term negative consequences.

The Irrelevance of Caste in Modern India: A Changing Social Fabric

• In contemporary India, particularly among urban youth, caste holds little relevance.
• Many young people do not identify with their caste and are increasingly engaging in inter-caste marriages.
• Conducting a caste Census could reverse this progress by forcing individuals to identify with a caste, thereby reinforcing a system that is becoming less relevant in modern life.

The Need for a Casteless Society: Moving Beyond Caste-Based Identifications

• At a time when national cohesion is threatened by caste-based divisions, efforts should focus on eradicating the caste system rather than entrenching it through a Census.
• The caste system’s inherent hierarchy perpetuates discrimination, making it essential to strive for a society where caste identities are irrelevant.
• Instead of a caste Census, the government should promote policies and social initiatives that encourage the rejection of caste-based identities, especially among the youth.

Conclusion: Aligning with Constitutional Values and Supreme Court Directives

• Conducting a caste Census would conflict with the constitutional mandate to promote a casteless society and the Supreme Court’s directive to eliminate caste-based identifiers.
• The focus should be on fostering unity and inclusivity, ensuring that India moves towards a future where caste is no longer a determinant of identity or social status.

PYQ: Consider the following statements: (2009) Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 epAns: (d)

Practice Question:  Critically examine the implications of conducting a caste Census in India. How might it impact social cohesion and national integration? Discuss the potential risks and benefits. (250 words/15 m)