21 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
1. Fields of Viksit Bharat
(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 12)
| Topic: GS3 – Agriculture |
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Analysis of the news:
Balancing Food Security and Sustainability
- Indian agriculture is at a critical juncture, tasked with ensuring food security, improving rural livelihoods, and addressing sustainability amidst domestic and global challenges.
- While strides in productivity have been achieved, the sector lags behind in adopting cutting-edge technological innovations.
- To transform into a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) by 2047, the Indian agricultural industry must adopt seven key imperatives.
1. Leveraging AI for Smarter Farming
Artificial intelligence (AI) in Indian agriculture is being deployed for applications such as weather forecasting, pest detection, and crop yield optimization.
However, its adoption remains limited to a small number of tech-savvy farmers. In contrast, regions like the US and Europe employ generative AI tools for large-scale precision farming, integrating vast datasets for real-time agronomic insights.
To make AI accessible and impactful in India, the following actions are essential:
- Developing vernacular AI platforms tailored for smallholder farmers.
- Collaborating with AgTech startups to create affordable AI solutions.
- Integrating AI-based advisory services into government programs to reach marginalized farmers.
2. Advancing Regenerative Farming Practices
While practices like organic farming and zero-budget natural farming have gained traction in pockets, monoculture and overuse of chemicals dominate most of Indian agriculture, resulting in soil degradation and biodiversity loss.
Countries such as France and the US lead the way with structured policies and incentives promoting regenerative agriculture.
India should focus on:
- Implementing a national regenerative farming policy.
- Encouraging private-sector-led R&D in sustainable, capital-efficient agro-ecology practices.
This will ensure a transition toward sustainable farming that prioritizes soil health and ecological balance.
3. Promoting Robotics and Automation
The adoption of robotics in Indian agriculture remains limited due to high costs and reliance on rural labor.
While basic tools like seeders and sprayers are used, advanced robotics such as automated harvesters are inaccessible. To overcome these barriers, India must:
- Develop low-cost robotic solutions suitable for small farms.
- Establish AgTech hubs for testing and deploying automation technologies.
- Promote public-private partnerships to fund and scale robotics innovations.
By lowering costs and increasing access, India can gradually integrate automation without displacing its labor force.
4. Scaling the Alternative Protein Market
India’s alternative protein sector is in its infancy, driven by startups, with challenges in affordability and scalability.
The EU leads this space with robust government initiatives and advanced R&D.
To foster growth in alternative proteins, India needs to:
- Collaborate with global leaders to advance production techniques.
- Improve formulation methods for affordability.
- Conduct public awareness campaigns to promote lab-grown and plant-based proteins.
This approach can enhance nutritional security while reducing environmental impacts.
5. Harnessing Digital Twin Technology
Field trials in Indian agriculture remain manual and costly, delaying the deployment of new crop technologies.
Digital twin technology, widely used in the US, enables virtual modeling of field trials to reduce costs and accelerate agri-input launches.
For India to harness this innovation, it should:
- Partner with AgTech companies to pilot digital twin projects.
- Train agricultural researchers in digital modeling.
- Offer tax incentives for investments in digital twin technology.
This can lead to greater transparency and efficiency in agricultural R&D.
6. Scaling Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency
India is experimenting with blockchain for food traceability through pilot projects, but adoption is hindered by limited infrastructure and farmer awareness.
By contrast, China has integrated blockchain across agricultural supply chains, ensuring transparency and improving market access. India should focus on:
- Scaling blockchain adoption in export crops to improve farmer price realization.
- Investing in infrastructure to support blockchain technology.
- Raising awareness and providing training for farmers on blockchain benefits.
Such efforts can revolutionize India’s agricultural supply chain.
7. Expanding Climate-Smart Farming
India’s climate-smart farming initiatives, like the PM-KUSUM scheme promoting renewable energy, remain limited in scale.
To mitigate climate risks and build resilience, India should:
- Invest in scaling micro-irrigation technologies.
- Develop and distribute climate-resilient seed varieties.
- Promote bio-based crop protection solutions.
- Utilize AI to create localized climate advisory systems for farmers.
Scaling these efforts will position Indian agriculture to combat climate challenges effectively.
Conclusion:
- India’s agricultural transformation requires innovation, investment, and inclusion. Adopting AI, robotics, regenerative farming, and other emerging technologies can modernize the sector while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity.
- By prioritizing smallholder farmers, fostering public-private collaborations, and customizing global solutions for local contexts, India can become a global leader in agriculture by 2047.
- This journey will demand bold policy reforms, strategic investments, and grassroots engagement to realize a “Viksit Bharat.”
| Agriculture Sector in India |
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| Practice Question: Discuss the critical challenges faced by Indian agriculture in achieving sustainability and technological advancement. Suggest key imperatives needed to transform the sector into a global leader by 2047. (150 Words /10 marks) |
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out: 20 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
