Generic Elective Assignment

On
Regional Disparities in Indian Agriculture

Submitted by
Gourav Sharma
Roll no. 2321234

Submitted to
Dr. Shahid Jamal

Department of B.A Programme

Kirori Mal College
University of Delhi
Delhi - 110007
AGRICULTURE
Introduction
Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the earth, producing crops, and rearing
livestock for food, fiber, fuel, and other products supporting human life. It is a multifaceted
activity that involves among others ploughing, sowing, irrigation, harvesting, dairy farming,
and animal husbandry.

In the Indian scenario, farming is not just a profession—it is a lifestyle for most of the rural
community. According to the latest estimates, more than 45% of India's working population
is employed in agricultural and allied sectors, but the sector contributes barely 18% to the
national GDP (Economic Survey 2022–23), which shows the serious structural issues.

Historically, India has come a long way from the period of food shortage and import reliance
in the 1950s and 60s—when the nation was forced to import food grains under the PL-480
agreement with the United States—to becoming a food-surplus and self-sufficient nation after
the Green Revolution of the late 1960s. This change was spurred by the use of high-yielding
seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, and increased irrigation, but its advantages were mostly
limited to areas such as Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.

Agriculture is still at the heart of India's food security, rural livelihoods, poverty reduction,
and overall socio-economic growth. Yet, the industry still suffers from shortcomings in
infrastructure, access to finance, technology use, and market integration and is thus a priority
area for policy and reform.

Fig. 1 Agriculture in India

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GREEN REVOLUTION (Background)

The Indian Green Revolution of the 1960s was a watershed moment in the nation's
agricultural development. India was, at this time, grappling with widespread food deficits,
where frequent famines were experienced and massive sections of the population had
malnutrition issues. India's farm productivity was low owing to over-reliance on traditional
practices, inadequate irrigation systems, and dependency on unstable monsoons. The nation
had a great dependency on food imports, mainly from the United States under Public Law
480 (PL-480), where it received food aid in terms of local currency. This dependence on
foreign aid was a humiliating experience for India, and it was evident that far-reaching
reforms were necessary to attain food security and self-reliance.
The Green Revolution was initiated with the help of the Indian government and international
organizations such as the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations. One of the most important
elements of this revolution was the introduction of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds,
especially for wheat and rice. These seeds, when combined with improved irrigation
methods, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, resulted in a sharp rise in farm production.
Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh were the major beneficiaries because of their conducive
climate and available irrigation system. These states experienced a steep rise in food grain
production, especially wheat, which enabled India to shift from a food-importing country to a
food-exporting country. Moreover, the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and procurement
schemes of the government provided the farmers with stable markets, encouraging them to
employ these new strategies.
Nevertheless, the Green Revolution was not free of limitations and issues. It may have
managed to increase the production of food but its welfare effects were unevenly distributed
nationwide. The western and northern parts, particularly Punjab and Haryana, witnessed
productivity growth at high levels, but most other regions, including eastern and tribal states,
remained untouched as they were plagued by poor infrastructure and lack of proper access to
resources. In addition, the large-scale application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
created environmental degradation in the form of soil erosion, water resource pollution, and
loss of biodiversity. Also, the Green Revolution widened rural inequalities in India because
the biggest beneficiaries were large farmers who had access to technology and capital, while
small and marginal farmers struggled to adopt new methods. Also, the focus on
monocropping (giving a lot of emphasis to wheat and rice) led to a failure to diversify crops,
which made agriculture more susceptible to pests and diseases. In spite of all these
disadvantages, the Green Revolution was a necessary step towards India becoming
self-sufficient in agriculture, allowing the nation to support its expanding populace. The
factors learned during this era emphasize that Indian agriculture must adopt sustainable and
inclusive agricultural practices that ensure productivity while preserving the environment.
Future agricultural reforms must focus on improving access to technology, ensuring equitable
distribution of resources, and promoting sustainable farming practices to create a more
resilient and environmentally responsible agricultural system.

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FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN
AGRICULTURE IN INDIA

India's farm surplus performance is not consistent in states or regions. Some regions have
been able to attain food surplus, while others continue with low productivity, unreliable
irrigation, and poor market access. These inconsistencies stem from a combination of human
and natural factors:

I. Natural Factors

1. Climate Diversity and Extremes

●​ India traverses several climatic regions—ranging from arid (Rajasthan), semi-arid
(Deccan Plateau), to humid and tropical (Kerala, Northeast). Such diversity is
responsible for variations in crop compatibility, growing season, and output.

●​ Drought regions (e.g., Bundelkhand, Marathwada) experience regular crop failure,

while flood regions (e.g., Assam, Bihar) have to contend with annual crop damage.

●​ Climate change has increased the unpredictability of weather, hitting rain-fed regions
disproportionately.

2. Soil Fertility and Type

●​ Fertile alluvial soils in Punjab, Haryana, and West Bengal are conducive to intensive
cultivation.

●​ Conversely, areas such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and parts of the Western Ghats
have acidic, lateritic, or rocky soils, which need heavy conditioning for high yields.

●​ Soil degradation due to excessive use of chemicals (particularly in Green Revolution

pockets) has also resulted in stagnating yields in otherwise fertile areas.

3. Rainfall Pattern and Monsoon Dependency

●​ The southwest monsoon is essential for kharif crops, but its availability is
unpredictable. Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Maharashtra frequently receive
below-average rainfall.

●​ Inadequate assured irrigation in these regions implies that a poor monsoon can cause
widespread farm distress.

●​ Eastern states, on the other hand, get excess rain but no drainage, resulting in
waterlogging and low productivity.

4. Water Resources and Irrigation Coverage

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 ●​ Only roughly 49% of India's net sown area is irrigated under assured conditions.

●​ Punjab and Haryana have more than 90% coverage (through canals and tubewells),
while others like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra are behind.

●​ Inadequate irrigation restricts crop diversification and double-cropping possibilities in

backward areas.

5. Topography and Landform Constraints

●​ Level alluvial plains (such as Indo-Gangetic belt) facilitate mechanization and
intensive agriculture.

●​ Hilly areas (e.g., Northeast, some parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) are
restricted to terrace cultivation, limiting productivity and infrastructure growth.

II. Human (Anthropogenic) Factors

1. Technological Penetration
●​ Utilization of new farm inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment
is skewed towards western and northern India.

●​ Backward regions experience poor coverage of agri-tech due to high prices,

unawareness, and weak extension services.

●​ Digital platforms for weather warnings, soil analysis, and online marketplaces have
not yet reached most marginal farmers.

2. Institutional Finance and Insurance

●​ Farmers in affluent states access institutional finance through banks, cooperatives, or
programs such as KCC.

●​ Farmers residing in remote and tribal regions are left behind on account of no land
records, poor literacy, or fragile banking infrastructure, and hence have to depend on
exploitative informal moneylenders.

●​ Cropped insurance uptake is low in backward regions due to lack of awareness or

poor implementation of schemes like PMFBY.

3. Market Access and Infrastructure

●​ Developed regions have better road connectivity, cold chains, APMC mandis, and
processing units.

●​ In contrast, in eastern and central India, poor infrastructure leads to post-harvest

losses and dependence on local traders.

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 ●​ MSP procurement centers are highly concentrated in a few states such as Punjab and
MP, depriving farmers in other places of price support.

4. Policy and Governance Gaps

●​ Regional imbalance results from unequal implementation of central schemes between
states.

●​ Bureaucratic obstacles, corruption, and local capacity weaknesses tend to slow down
or water down the effect of schemes such as PM-KISAN or PMKSY in weaker states.

●​ Agricultural extension officers in a few states are too sparse to reach remote villages
effectively.

5. Skill and Awareness, Education Levels

●​ Awareness regarding farming practices, subsidies, and crop planning is greater in
more developed states.

●​ Farmers tend to adopt conventional practices, remain ignorant of governmental

assistance, and receive no training in advanced agronomy in lower-HDI regions.

6. Landholding Structures and Ownership

●​ Uneconomical and fragmented landholdings dominate the majority of India,
particularly in Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

●​ Land ownership disputes, unclear titles, and fragmentation of inheritance inhibit

investments and mechanized or commercial farming adoption.

7. Poor Supply Chains and Storage Facilities

●​ Inadequate cold storage, rural godowns, and processing facilities result in spoilage,
particularly in perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

●​ Those states with a more robust agri-processing sector (e.g., Gujarat, Maharashtra)
allow for greater value addition, whereas others suffer income loss.

8. Public Investment and Regional Favoritism

●​ Historically, Green Revolution investments were biased towards north-western states,
giving a long-term benefit.

●​ Less infrastructure support and fewer research and development efforts went to
underdeveloped states.

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 Fig. 2 Factors for agricultural disparities in India

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES TO REDUCE REGIONAL

AGRICULTURAL DISPARITIES

1. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)

This scheme gives direct income support of ₹6,000 annually to small and marginal farmers in
the form of three equal installments. It assists farmers in backward and remote areas to take
care of input costs and meet their fundamental farming requirements.

2. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

It provides crop insurance to safeguard farmers against loss of crops because of natural
calamities, pests, or diseases. It is particularly crucial for areas that are susceptible to floods,
droughts, or unpredictable climate patterns.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

This scheme provides short-term credit to farmers at subsidized interest rates. It facilitates
farmers in backward regions to get formal credit and escape the clutches of moneylenders.

4. eNAM (National Agriculture Market)

eNAM is an online portal that links mandis in India, enabling farmers to sell their crops at
improved prices. It provides benefits to farmers in rural and backward regions by increasing
their market reach.

5. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

The scheme aims at enhancing irrigation facilities, encouraging efficient use of water, and
helping micro-irrigation systems. It aids in mitigating regional disparities in irrigation
coverage.

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6. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
It finances the construction of cold storages, warehouses, and other infrastructure. This helps
in minimizing post-harvest losses and assists farmers in backward areas where there is a lack
of basic agri-infrastructure.

7. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

States are provided with funds to plan region-based agricultural development projects under
this scheme. This facilitates more targeted assistance to lagging and neglected regions.

8. Soil Health Card Scheme

Farmers are informed about the health of their soil and how to improve fertilizer application.
This encourages sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions with unhealthy soils.

9. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

This scheme offers farm machinery subsidies to marginal and small farmers. It seeks to
minimize manual labor and increase productivity in less developed areas.

10. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

It encourages organic farming in clusters, especially in tribal, rain-fed, and hilly regions. It
promotes eco-friendly and low-input farming methods.

Fig. 3 Government Schemes for Agriculture

SUGGESTIONS

1. Increase Infrastructure Development

●​ Irrigation Facilities: Increase irrigation systems in water-shortage and drought-hit
regions so that more regions are consistently provided with water for cultivation.

●​ Storage and Transport: Enhance the cold storage capacity, transport, and post-harvest
management to minimize wastage and provide better market access to farmers from
remote areas.

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2. Access to Credit
●​ Simplify Loan Procedures: Reduce the loan application procedure to be simple, and
credit should become easily available for farmers in inaccessible areas.
Creditworthiness must be evaluated on digital platforms for easy disbursal.

●​ Encourage Financial Awareness: Provide financial literacy to farmers to understand

loans, insurance schemes, and investments better.

3. Integration with Technology

●​ Technology and Advisory: Increase exposure to mobile apps and online platforms
delivering weather information, market rates, farming guidelines, and government
scheme notifications.

●​ Popularize Precision Agriculture: Provide the latest agriculture technology such as

drones, sensors, and soil testers to improve efficiency in lagging areas where
conventional methods continue to prevail.

4. Policy Reform
●​ Land Reforms: Streamline land ownership documents and allow for land
consolidation to minimize fragmentation. This can provide small farmers with access
to machinery, credit, and economies of scale.

●​ Unified Markets: Consolidate the reach of eNAM and include more regional markets
to provide fair prices to farmers, minimizing dependence on middlemen.

5. Capacity Building and Skill Development

●​ Farmer Education: Organize additional awareness programs in advanced farming
methods, soil health management, organic farming, and pest control to enhance
agricultural yield.

●​ Rural Skill Development: Offer vocational training in farming techniques and

handling of farm machinery to empower rural youth, enhancing productivity and
curbing migration to urban areas.

6. Encourage Sustainable Farming

●​ Soil Health and Organic Farming: Promote activities such as organic farming,
integrated pest management, and soil health cards to encourage sustainable
agriculture, particularly in ecologically fragile areas.

●​ Water Conservation: Promote rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and other

water-saving technologies, especially in dryland farming areas.

7. Targeted Government Interventions

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 ●​ Regional Customization: Make government schemes more region-specific, addressing
local requirements. For instance, drought-prone areas can require greater emphasis on
rainwater harvesting and dryland farming.

●​ Transparency and Monitoring: Enhance the delivery of schemes by making them

more transparent, improving monitoring, and utilizing technology for monitoring
progress.

8. Community Participation
●​ Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Strengthen and promote FPOs to enable
farmers to collaborate, access good markets, and negotiate good prices.

●​ Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Increase the size of SHG networks to enhance credit
access, training, and inputs to small farmers, especially in under-developed regions.

Through their concentration on these regions, stakeholders and the government can establish
a more balanced agricultural system, lowering differences between areas and allowing
farmers from every region of India to reap the advantages of new methods and policies.
These measures will ensure that farming is not just productive but sustainable for generations
to come.

Fig. 4 Improvising Agriculture

CONCLUSION

India's farm scene is characterized by extreme regional inequalities, driven by a dynamic

interplay of natural, socio-economic, and institutional factors. While the Green Revolution
turned northwestern states such as Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh into
high-yielding belts, several other areas—particularly in eastern, central, and northeastern
India—remain lagging behind. These inequalities result from unequal access to irrigation,
weak rural infrastructure, fragmented landholdings, restricted institutional credit, and
insufficient exposure to modern technology and markets.

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The government, in the last few years, has launched a number of initiatives like PM-KISAN,
PMFBY, eNAM, Kisan Credit Card, PMKSY, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund with a
view to curtailing disparities and empowering farmers. While these have yielded positive
results, there are implementation challenges, particularly in the backward areas where there is
limited institutional capacity, farmer awareness, and last-mile connectivity.

The consequences of these gaps are sweeping. They not only impact farmer revenues and
rural prosperity but also limit balanced economic growth, drive regional poverty, and add
climate vulnerability. Closing these gaps is thus more than an agricultural challenge—it is
one of national economic strength and social justice.

In the future, India will need to focus on region-specific agriculture planning. That implies
better irrigation and storage facilities in rain-fed areas, easing formal credit access for small
and marginal farmers, and rural education and extension service improvements. Sustainability
needs to take center stage—through practices such as crop diversification, organic
cultivation, monitoring soil health, and climate-resilient crops.

Participation of communities, particularly through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs),

cooperatives, and local governments, can further empower farmer voices and propel inclusive
growth. Digital technologies and mobile-based platforms need to be utilized to fill the
information gap, provide real-time advisories, and enhance market transparency.

Finally, ending rural-urban farm disparities calls for something greater than schemes and
subsidies—it calls for systemic change, participatory governance, and committed investment
in rural capacity-building. Only then will Indian agriculture mature into a vibrant, equitable,
and sustainable sector that not only feeds the here and now but also secures the future for
generations to come.

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