Agriculture and Food Management in India

The performance of the agricultural sector influences the growth of the Indian economy. Agriculture (including allied activities) accounted for 17.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP-at constant prices) in 2007-08, as compared to 21.7 per cent in 2003-04.

Notwithstanding the fact that the share of this sector in GDP has been declining over the years, its role remains critical as it accounts for about 52 per cent of the employment in the country. Apart from being the provider of food and fodder, its importance also stems from the raw materials that it provides to industry. The prosperity of the rural economy is also closely linked to agriculture and allied activities. The rural sector (including agriculture) is being increasingly seen as a potential source of domestic demand; a recognition, that is shaping the marketing strategies of entrepreneurs wishing to widen the demand for goods and services.

In terms of composition, out of the total share of 17.8 per cent in GDP in 2007-08 for the agriculture and allied activities sector, agriculture alone accounted for 16.3 per cent of GDP, followed by fishing at 0.8 per cent and forestry and logging at 0.7 per cent of GDP.

Area, Production and Yield
Growth in the production of agricultural crops depends on acreage and yield. Limitations in the expansion of agricultural land suggest that increase in gross cropped area can come from multiple cropping. In view of this, the main source of long-term output growth is improvement in yield.

Compound growth rates of index of area under rice showed a negative growth of (-) 0.1 per cent per annum during 2001-08, compared to the 1990s. Area under rice cultivation has remained more or less stagnant in the recent years while growth in yield has shown an increase.

Area under wheat, that was around 25 million hectares in 2002-03, increased to 26.4 million hectares in 2005-06 and further to 28 million hectares in 2007-08. The coverage under irrigation has been about 87 to 89 per cent of area for wheat. The compound growth rates of indices of area, production and yield of wheat during 1991-2000 and 2001-08 show a perceptible decline.

Cotton occupies an important place among the cash crops in India. Cotton is grown in nine major States namely, Punjab, Haryana, North Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Area under cotton increased from 7.60 million hectares in 2003-04 to 9.43 million hectares in 2007-08. The yield of cotton went up from 307 kgs per hectare in 2003-04 to 466 kgs per hectare in 2007-08. The compound growth in index of yield has shown an increase from (-) 0.4 per cent during the 1990s to 15.8 per cent during 2001-08. However, the growth in index of area moderated, but remained positive. The combined effect on index of production was an increase in growth from 2.3 per cent during the 1990s to 17.5 per cent during 2001-08.

During 2008-09 the area sown at all-India level under kharif was 2.3 per cent less than the area sown in 2007-08 of 1,039.23 lakh hectares. As on March 27, 2009, area sown under all rabi crops taken together has been reported to be higher at 638.33 lakh hectares, as compared to 619.68 lakh hectares in the corresponding period of 2007-08.

Agricultural Inputs
Improvement in yield, which is a key to long-term growth, depends on a host of factors that include technology, use of quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and micro-nutrients, and, not the least, irrigation. Each of these plays a role in determining the yield level and in turn the augmentation in the level of production.

The first decisive step that a farmer takes relates to sowing. The availability of quality seeds (among other factors) makes a critical difference to output growth. In India, more than four-fifths of the farmers rely on farm-saved seeds, leading to a low seed replacement rate.

The Indian Seed Programme includes the participation of Central and State governments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State agricultural universities and the cooperatives and private players. There are 15 State seed corporations besides two national level corporations, viz. the National Seeds Corporation and the State Farms Corporation of India. Indian seeds programme recognizes three kinds of seed generation, viz. breeder, foundation and certified seeds. Production of breeder and foundation seeds during 2008-09 is anticipated at 1.00 lakh quintals and 9.69 lakh quintals, respectively, and the distribution of certified/quality seeds at about 190.0 lakh quintals.

The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing a Central sector scheme, “Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds”, on all-India basis since 2005-06. The scheme is aimed at making available quality seeds of various crops to the farmers at affordable price, and in time, so as to enhance seed replacement rate, boost seed production in private sector and help the public sector seed companies to contribute in enhancing seed production.

A major thrust under the scheme is on improving quality of farm-saved seeds through “Seed Village Programme,” under which more than 25,000 seed villages have been organized during 2008-09 across the country. Certified/quality seed production has increased from 194.31 lakh quintals during 200607 to 250.35 lakh quintals during 2008-09.

The seed component of the Prime Minister’s Relief Package for distressed farmers is being implemented in 31 suicide-affected districts in four States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Under the scheme, certified seeds are supplied at 50 per cent of the seed cost to the farmers in such affected districts. During the year 2008-09, an amount of Rs. 445.81 crore was released under the PM’s Relief Package.

The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Authority was established in November 2005. The Authority has the mandate to implement provisions of the PPV&FR Act, 2001. Fourteen crops, namely, rice, bread wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeon pea, green gram, black gram, lentil, field pea, kidney bean, cotton and jute were notified for the purpose of registration under the Act. The Authority has plans to extend its coverage to forestry, aromatic agriculture and food management and medicinal plants.

In response to the changes that have taken place in the seed sector, the existing Seeds Act, 1966 is proposed to be replaced by a suitable legislation to, inter alia, (i) create a facilitative climate for growth of the seed industry so as to enhance seed replacement rates, boost the export of seeds and encourage import of useful germplasm, create a conducive atmosphere for application of frontier sciences in varietal development and for enhanced investment in related R&D.

Irrigation
The government of India has taken up irrigation potential creation through public funding and assisting farmers to create potential on their own farms. Substantial irrigation potential has been created through major and medium irrigation schemes. The total irrigation potential in the country has increased from 81.1 million hectares in 1991-92 to 102.08 million hectares up to the end of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2006-07). Of the total potential created, however, only 87.2 million hectares is actually utilized. The Working Group on Water Resources for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) has proposed creation of irrigation potential of 16 million hectares (9 million hectares from MMI sector and 7 million hectares from MI sector) during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period.

The Central government has also initiated the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) from 1996-97 for extending assistance for the completion of irrigation schemes remaining incomplete. Under the programme the project approved by the Planning Commission are eligible for assistance. In 2008-09, Rs. 2,791 crore was released to AIBP for major and medium irrigation schemes up to December 2008.

Fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers have played a significant role in the development of the agricultural sector. The per hectare consumption of fertilizers in nutrient terms stood at 117.07 kg in 2007-08. However, recent trends in agricultural productivity show a decline in marginal productivity of soil in relation to the application of fertilizers and in some cases has also become negative. Some of the evident factors contributing to the decline in marginal productivity are: skewed NPK application ratio in the country, comparatively higher application of straight fertilizers like urea, DAP and MOP as against the complex fertilizers (NPKs) which are considered to be ergonomically better and more balanced fertilizer products. Lack of application of proper nutrients based on soil analysis has also contributed to slowdown in growth of productivity.

The domestic production of urea in the year 2008-09 was 199.22 lakh tonnes, as compared to 187.27 lakh tonnes in 2002-03, whereas that of DAP declined in 2008-09 to 29.33 lakh tonnes, after reaching a peak of 52.36 lakh tonnes in 2002-03, mainly because of shift from DAP production to complex fertilizer production.

Availability of raw material/intermediates has also been a major bottleneck towards increase in production. There is no domestic production of MOP and its requirement is met fully by import.

The government has taken various policy initiatives for the fertilizer sector. These cover pricing policy for indigenous urea, new investments in urea sector, nutrient-based pricing, production and availability of fortified and coated fertilizers, uniform freight subsidy on all fertilizers under the fertilizer subsidy regime, concession scheme for decontrolled phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, inclusion of Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP), Tri Super Phosphate (TSP) and Ammonium Sulphate (AS) in the concession scheme, revised scheme for concession for Single Super Phosphate (SSP) based on inputs cost and a uniform all-India maximum retail price of Rs. 3,400 per tonne for SSP, policy for conversion of FO/LSHS urea units to natural gas.

National Food Security Mission
The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is being implemented in 312 identified districts of 17 States of the country. The NFSM-Rice is being implemented in 136 districts of 14 States i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The interventions covered under NFSM-Rice include demonstrations on improved practices; system of rice intensification; promotion of hybrid rice-production and distribution; distribution of HYV seeds; seed mini-kits; micro-nutrients; liming; conoweeders; zero till seed drills; multi-crop planters; seed drills; rotavators, diesel pump sets, power weeders, knap sack sprayers; plant protection chemicals and bio-pesticides; farmers’ field schools; local initiatives; award for best performing districts; mass media campaign; international exposures for technical knowledge enrichment and project management team. NFSM-Wheat is being implemented in 141 districts of 9 State—Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
Under the Scheme of RKVY, the following indicative broad activities have been identified for focused attention–Integrated Development of Food Crops, including coarse cereals, minor millets and pulses; agriculture mechanization; soil health and productivity; development of rain-fed farming systems; integrated pest management; market infrastructure; horticulture; animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries; Concept to completion projects that have definite timelines; support to institutions that promote agriculture and horticulture, etc.; organic and bio-fertilizers; and innovative schemes. During 2007-08, an outlay of Rs. 1,500 crore was approved of which an amount of Rs. 1,246.89 crore, including Rs. 48 crore at Rs. 10 lakh per district for preparation of District Agriculture Plan (DAP), was released to the States. For the year 2008-09, an outlay of Rs. 2,891.70 crore has been provided at revised estimate (RE) stage and an amount of Rs. 2,886.80 crore has been released to the eligible States as on March 31, 2009.

Information Availability
Timely availability of reliable information on agricultural output is of great significance for planning and policy making. The existing system of agricultural statistics, in spite of established procedures and wide coverage, has inherent limitations in the matter of providing an objective assessment of crops at the pre-harvesting stages, with the desired spatial details which are essential to identify problem areas and the nature of required interventions in terms of spatial, temporal and qualitative inferences. Capabilities of the existing system of crop forecasts and crop estimation can be enhanced with the introduction of technological advancements and the adoption of emerging methodologies. In turn, an efficient and sound information mechanism can assist considerably in the management of concerns in areas such as food security, price stability, international trade, etc. Remote Sensing (RS), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used towards this end. Schemes/projects like Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land-based Observations (FASAL) and Extended Range Forecasting System (ERFS) have been initiated to establish a more scientific and reliable basis for forecasting.

In 1987, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) sponsored a project called “Crop Acreage and Production Estimates (CAPE)” with the objective of developing methodologies using the RS techniques for crop area and production forecasting. The project was implemented through the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad and provided a platform for development and standardization of basic procedures, models and software packages for crop area and production forecasting, using remote sensing and weather data. The concept of FASAL seeks to strengthen the current capabilities of early and in-season crop estimation capabilities from econometric and weather-based techniques with remote sensing applications.

Keeping in view the expertise needed, some of the functions under the scheme have been outsourced. For example, forecasting of area and production of major crops using Remote Sensing technology is being handled by SAC, and forecast of production based on econometric modelling is being done by the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), New Delhi. The activities relating to forecast of production based on crop growth and yield modelling by making use of the agro-met data has been assigned to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). All other functions, including coordination with various groups are being performed by the National Crop Forecasting Centre (NCFC) in the Ministry of Agriculture. Experimental forecasts based on econometric models and forecast based on RS technology for specific crops have commenced.

Agriculture Insurance
The frequency and severity of droughts, floods and cyclones and rising temperatures, agro-climatic variations and erratic rainfall accentuates uncertainty and risk in the agricultural sector leading to huge losses in agricultural production and the livestock population in India.

The National Insurance Scheme (NAIS) for crops has been implemented from rabi 1999-2000 season. Under the scheme and until rabi 2007-08, an area of 184 million hectares of about 1,155 lakh farmers have been covered and a sum of Rs. 1,21,606 crore insured. Claims to the tune of about Rs. 11,607 crore have been reported against premium income of about Rs. 3,626 crore, benefitting 302 lakh families.

Under the Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) being implemented by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC), 10 States have been covered on pilot basis during the kharif 2008 season. About 1.4 lakh farmers with 1.87 lakh hectares of cropped area were insured for a sum of Rs. 309 crore generating a premium of Rs. 31.5 crore (including subsidy, farmers’ share of premium is Rs. 11.82 crore). This pilot is being continued in rabi 2008-09. In addition to AIC, private insurers like ICICI-LOMBARD General Insurance Company and IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company have also been included for implementation of the scheme in selected areas.

National Policy for Farmers, 2007
Major policy provisions of the National Policy for Farmers, 2007, include provisions for asset reforms, water use efficiency, use of technology, inputs and services like soil health: good quality seeds, disease free planting material, support services for women, credit, insurance etc. Provisions have also been made for National Agricultural Bio-security System, setting up of farm schools in the fields of outstanding farmers to promote farmer to farmer learning and to strengthen extension services and expanding food security basket to include nutritious crops like bajra, jowar, ragi and millets, which are mostly grown in dry land areas. A comprehensive National Social Security Scheme for the farmers for ensuring livelihood security, by taking care of insurance needs on account of illness, old age, is included.

Food Management
Food management in India has three basic objectives viz. procurement of food-grains from farmers at remunerative prices, distribution of food-grains to the consumers particularly the vulnerable sections of the society at affordable prices and maintenance of food buffers for food security and price stability. The instruments for food management are the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Central Issue Price (CIP). The focus is on incentivizing farmers by ensuring fair value for their produce through the Minimum Support Price mechanism, distribution of food-grains at subsidized rates to 6.52 crore BPL families, covering all households at the risk of hunger under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), establishing grain banks in chronically food-scarce areas and strengthening the Public Distribution System (PDS). The nodal agency which undertakes procurement, distribution and storage of food-grains is the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Procurement at MSP is open-ended, while distribution is governed by the scale of allocation and its off-take by the beneficiaries.

Challenges and Outlook
The agriculture sector faces challenges on various fronts. On the supply side, the yield of most crops has not improved significantly and in some cases fluctuated downwards. The scope for increase in the net sown area is limited and farm size has been shrinking. In the case of certain crops like sugarcane, extreme variability in the acreage and production over the years has been a matter of concern. On the other hand, in the case of pulses, production has just not kept pace with the requirement leading to a rise in prices given that its availability in the international markets is limited.

Therefore, there is clearly a need for a renewed focus on improving productivity, and at the same time, to step up the growth of allied activities and non-farm activities that can help improve value addition. The current focus on developing rural infrastructure, particularly rural roads, needs to be maintained as it would go a long way in providing connectivity that is essential for movement of agricultural produce. The irrigation sector requires a renewed thrust, both in terms of investment as also modern management. There is considerable scope for development of micro-irrigation systems and watersheds and in the use of a participatory approach for achieving the same.

There is also a need to narrow the gap between producer prices and consumer prices through proper marketing support. The development of marketing infrastructure and storage and warehousing and cold chains and spot markets that are driven by modern technology will go a long way in addressing this need.

As per the Report of the Committee on Financial Inclusion (January 2008), more than 73 per cent of farmer households have no access to formal sources of credit. Innovative institutional mechanisms that provide credit and financial products (including insurance products) specifically designed to meet the needs of the farm sector, keeping their risk-bearing ability in view, is the need of the hour.

The rural economy needs to be viewed as comprising of a continuum of interrelated economic activities. Farming needs to be dovetailed with viable off-farm and non-farm activities. Farmers need to be facilitated to take up value addition such as processing of agricultural produce, horticulture, pisciculture, poultry, and development of non-farm rural enterprises.

On the distribution side, there is need to ensure that benefits accrue to the targeted population. A mission approach for promotion of smart cards and its cross reference with ration cards and voter ID cards would help better targeting, lesser leakages and easier administration.

An area that requires focused attention is the issue of sustainability of agriculture with due emphasis on environmental concerns. Soil erosion, water logging, reduction in ground-water table and the decline in the surface irrigation are the problems faced by agriculture. The consequences of climate change on Indian agriculture also need to be factored in the strategy for the development of this sector.