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• The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture

Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra and Sanjib Pohit.

There are several challenges but also opportunities.

India’s agricultural sector faces challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and market access issues. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, provides financial assistance for crop losses. With 49.5 crore farmers enrolled and claims totalling over ₹1.45 lakh crore, the scheme is a cornerstone of agricultural risk management.

The Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM), launched in 2016, integrates existing markets through an electronic platform. By September 2023, 1,361 mandis had been integrated, benefiting 1.76 million farmers and recording trade worth ₹2.88 lakh crore. This initiative improves market access and ensures better price realisation for farmers.

Despite agriculture engaging nearly 46% of the workforce, agriculture’s contribution to GDP is about 18%, highlighting a stark imbalance. If current growth trends continue, this disparity will worsen: while overall GDP has grown at 6.1% annually since 1991-92, agricultural GDP lags at 3.3%. Under the Narendra Modi administration, overall GDP growth was 5.9%, and agriculture grew at 3.6%. However, this is insufficient for a sector so critical to the nation’s socio-economic fabric.

By 2047, agriculture’s share in GDP might shrink to 7%-8%, yet, it could still employ over 30% of the workforce if significant structural changes are not implemented. This indicates that merely maintaining the current growth trajectory will not suffice.

The expected 7.6% overall GDP growth for 2023-24 is promising. However, the agri-GDP’s anaemic growth of 0.7%, primarily due to unseasonal rains, is alarming.

Further, according to United Nations projections, India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 and 1.59 billion by 2040. Following the agricultural challenges, meeting the food requirements of this burgeoning population will be imperative. With an estimated expenditure elasticity of food at 0.45, the demand for food is expected to grow by approximately 2.85% annually, considering the population growth rate of 0.85%.

India’s real per capita income increased by 41% from 2011-12 to 2021-22 and is projected to accelerate further. However, the expenditure elasticity post-2023 is anticipated to be lower, correlating a 5% rise in per capita expenditure to a 2% growth in demand. The anticipated food demand will vary among commodities, with meat demand growing by 5.42% and rice demand by a mere 0.34%.

To address these challenges, rationalising food and fertilizer subsidies and redirecting savings towards agricultural research and development innovation and extension services are crucial.

Some initiatives

Several initiatives have been rolled out to bolster farmer prosperity and sustainable agricultural growth. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched in 2019, disburses ₹6,000 annually to farmers in three instalments. This scheme has already benefited over 11.8 crore farmers, offering much-needed financial support. Another critical initiative, the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, aims to optimise soil nutrient use, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. Over 23 crore SHCs have been distributed, providing farmers with crucial insights into soil health and nutrient management.

The government also championed the International Year of Millets in 2023, promoting nutritious coarse grains, both domestically and internationally.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, with a ₹1 lakh crore financing facility, supports the development and modernisation of post-harvest management infrastructure. Within three years, over 38,326 projects have been sanctioned, mobilising ₹30,030 crore in the agricultural infrastructure sector. These projects have created employment for more than 5.8 lakh individuals and improved farmer incomes by 20%-25% through better price realisation.

Moreover, the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) initiative aims to ensure transparent property ownership in rural areas. As of September 2023, over 1.6 crore property cards have been generated, enhancing land security and facilitating credit access for farmers.

Strategic planning

The government’s strategic planning for agriculture, leading up to 2047, focuses on several key areas: anticipated future demand for agricultural products, insights from past growth catalysts, existing challenges, and potential opportunities in the agricultural landscape. Projections indicate that the total demand for food grains in 2047-48 will range from 402 million tonnes to 437 million tonnes, with production anticipated to exceed demand by 10%-13% under the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario.

However, to meet this demand sustainably, significant investments in agricultural research, infrastructure, and policy support are required. The Budget for 2024-25, with an allocation of ₹20 lakh crore for targeted agricultural credit and the launch of the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, highlights the government’s proactive approach to fostering agricultural innovation and growth.

The road to 2047 presents both challenges and opportunities for Indian agriculture. By embracing sustainable practices, leveraging technological innovations, and implementing strategic initiatives, India can enhance farmer incomes, meet the food demands of its growing population, and achieve inclusive, sustainable development.

Souryabrata Mohapatra is with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi. Sanjib Pohit is with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi. Views are personal.

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The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture Premium

There are several challenges but also opportunities.

Updated - August 24, 2024 12:11 pm IST

Published - August 24, 2024 12:08 am IST

At Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Assam | Photo Credit: The Hindu

India’s centennial year of independence is still away, in 2047, but the goal of becoming a developed nation looms large. Achieving this requires a significant increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI) to about six times the current level. This necessitates a comprehensive development approach, especially in agriculture.

Transforming Indian agriculture depends on adopting sustainable practices that ensure long-term productivity and environmental health. Precision farming, genetically modified crops, and advanced irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems are leading this transformation. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has covered 78 lakh hectares, promoting water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation. The scheme’s ₹93,068 crore allocation for 2021-26 underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable water management.

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India’s agricultural sector faces challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and market access issues. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, provides financial assistance for crop losses. With 49.5 crore farmers enrolled and claims totalling over ₹1.45 lakh crore, the scheme is a cornerstone of agricultural risk management.

The Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM), launched in 2016, integrates existing markets through an electronic platform. By September 2023, 1,361 mandis had been integrated, benefiting 1.76 million farmers and recording trade worth ₹2.88 lakh crore. This initiative improves market access and ensures better price realisation for farmers.

An imbalance

Despite agriculture engaging nearly 46% of the workforce, agriculture’s contribution to GDP is about 18%, highlighting a stark imbalance. If current growth trends continue, this disparity will worsen: while overall GDP has grown at 6.1% annually since 1991-92, agricultural GDP lags at 3.3%. Under the Narendra Modi administration, overall GDP growth was 5.9%, and agriculture grew at 3.6%. However, this is insufficient for a sector so critical to the nation’s socio-economic fabric.

By 2047, agriculture’s share in GDP might shrink to 7%-8%, yet, it could still employ over 30% of the workforce if significant structural changes are not implemented. This indicates that merely maintaining the current growth trajectory will not suffice.

The expected 7.6% overall GDP growth for 2023-24 is promising. However, the agri-GDP’s anaemic growth of 0.7%, primarily due to unseasonal rains, is alarming.

Further, according to United Nations projections, India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 and 1.59 billion by 2040. Following the agricultural challenges, meeting the food requirements of this burgeoning population will be imperative. With an estimated expenditure elasticity of food at 0.45, the demand for food is expected to grow by approximately 2.85% annually, considering the population growth rate of 0.85%.

India’s real per capita income increased by 41% from 2011-12 to 2021-22 and is projected to accelerate further. However, the expenditure elasticity post-2023 is anticipated to be lower, correlating a 5% rise in per capita expenditure to a 2% growth in demand. The anticipated food demand will vary among commodities, with meat demand growing by 5.42% and rice demand by a mere 0.34%.

To address these challenges, rationalising food and fertilizer subsidies and redirecting savings towards agricultural research and development innovation and extension services are crucial.

Some initiatives

Several initiatives have been rolled out to bolster farmer prosperity and sustainable agricultural growth. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched in 2019, disburses ₹6,000 annually to farmers in three instalments. This scheme has already benefited over 11.8 crore farmers, offering much-needed financial support. Another critical initiative, the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, aims to optimise soil nutrient use, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. Over 23 crore SHCs have been distributed, providing farmers with crucial insights into soil health and nutrient management.

The government also championed the International Year of Millets in 2023, promoting nutritious coarse grains, both domestically and internationally.

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, with a ₹1 lakh crore financing facility, supports the development and modernisation of post-harvest management infrastructure. Within three years, over 38,326 projects have been sanctioned, mobilising ₹30,030 crore in the agricultural infrastructure sector. These projects have created employment for more than 5.8 lakh individuals and improved farmer incomes by 20%-25% through better price realisation.

Moreover, the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) initiative aims to ensure transparent property ownership in rural areas. As of September 2023, over 1.6 crore property cards have been generated, enhancing land security and facilitating credit access for farmers.

Strategic planning

The government’s strategic planning for agriculture, leading up to 2047, focuses on several key areas: anticipated future demand for agricultural products, insights from past growth catalysts, existing challenges, and potential opportunities in the agricultural landscape. Projections indicate that the total demand for food grains in 2047-48 will range from 402 million tonnes to 437 million tonnes, with production anticipated to exceed demand by 10%-13% under the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario.

However, to meet this demand sustainably, significant investments in agricultural research, infrastructure, and policy support are required. The Budget for 2024-25, with an allocation of ₹20 lakh crore for targeted agricultural credit and the launch of the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, highlights the government’s proactive approach to fostering agricultural innovation and growth.

The road to 2047 presents both challenges and opportunities for Indian agriculture. By embracing sustainable practices, leveraging technological innovations, and implementing strategic initiatives, India can enhance farmer incomes, meet the food demands of its growing population, and achieve inclusive, sustainable development.

Souryabrata Mohapatra is with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi. Sanjib Pohit is with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi

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Agriculture in India - statistics & facts

Farming india’s vast lands and its livestock, fisheries and forestry contribution in india, imbalanced workforce and economic contribution, key insights.

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Agricultural growth and crop diversification in India: a state-level analysis

• RESEARCH PAPER
• Published: 12 January 2024

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• Nikkita Gupta 1 &
• Elumalai Kannan 1  

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This paper focuses on trend in India’s agricultural growth estimated based on structural breaks in agricultural GDP from 1981–82 to 2019–20, using Bai–Perron multiple breakpoint method. The paper also examines the relationship between agricultural growth and crop diversification. At the national level, five structural breaks in agricultural GDP were identified: 1987–88, 1992–93, 1997–98, 2003–04, and 2011–12. At the state level, structural break points occurred at different time periods indicating the effect of state-specific policy changes or occurrence of extreme climatic events. The southern, western, and central regions have highly diversified cropping pattern, whereas eastern and northern regions follow a specialised cropping pattern. Panel instrumental variable regression results show that crop diversification has a positive and statistically significant effect on agricultural output controlling for effects of other variables such as gross terms of trade, irrigation, cropping intensity, public capital expenditure, fertiliser use and labour. The study results have policy implications for promoting crop diversification that holds the key to sustain agricultural growth in the long run.

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According to Kurosaki ( 2003 ), CDI has the intuitive meaning of the probability of hitting different crop if two points are randomly chosen from the whole area under cultivation in a state/district. Besides Herfindahl–Hirschman index, there are other alternative measures used for computing the level of crop diversification (for details see, Shiyani and Pandya 1998 ; Chand 1999 ). Conceptual definition and approaches on diversification in agriculture can be found in Vyas ( 1996 ) and Chand ( 1999 ). Although many studies have considered proportion of area under individual crops in total cropped area (i.e. shift in area from one crop to another crop) as a measure of crop diversification, role of price in influencing the decision of farmers for a shift in cropping pattern can be incorporated in the crop diversification index. The modified index can be written as, CDI* \(=1-\sum_{i=1}^{n}({Q}_{i}{P}_{i}/\sum_{i=1}^{n}{Q}_{i}{P}_{i})\) 2 , where Q is i th crop output and p is price of i th crop output.

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Acknowledgements

Authors sincerely thank three anonymous referees for their insightful comments, which helped to revise the paper substantially. Authors are also thankful to the Editors of this journal for their constructive suggestions.

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Gupta, N., Kannan, E. Agricultural growth and crop diversification in India: a state-level analysis. J. Soc. Econ. Dev. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-023-00311-7

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How agtech is poised to transform India into a farming powerhouse

India’s agriculture industry is at a crossroads. When India became an independent nation 75 years ago, agriculture was the driver of the economy, contributing more than half of the nation’s GDP. Today, India is still one of the world’s largest and most diversified food producers, and agriculture—the source of more than 20 percent of India’s income—remains a central part of the economy.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Namrata Dubashi , David Fiocco , Avinash Goyal , Ayush Gupta, Nitika Nathani, and Abhik Tandon, representing views from McKinsey’s Agriculture Practice.

But there are significant problems holding back the nation’s untapped potential. If solved, a flourishing agriculture industry could both boost the economy and significantly improve farmer livelihoods and income. By 2030, agriculture could contribute around $600 billion 1 India’s turning point: An economic agenda to spur growth and jobs , McKinsey Global Institute, August 2020. to India’s GDP—an increase of 50 percent over its contribution in 2020. 2 Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2020. But to get there, India must unlock growth and productivity for the sector.

The key to expanding India’s transformation into a farming powerhouse is agricultural technology, or agtech. India lags behind developed farming nations in agtech. Simply put, India’s farmers are competing at a disadvantage: half lack basic farming equipment, three of every four farms are at risk of crop damage from pests and weather, and 50 percent of India’s farmers lack access to traditional financing sources. Those who can get credit often pay inflated interest of 10 to 25 percent above market rates.

In this article, we examine agtech’s potential, how it is already improving outcomes, and what investors are looking for as rural India embraces modern farming. Agtech can be a shot in the arm for India’s farmers, making them more profitable and boosting the contribution of agriculture to India’s economy.

Historically, the farmer was just one of the many stakeholders involved in a market that centered on mandis —the local markets where farmers sell their products at auction. The advent of digital technologies and the evolution of multiple agtechs have put the farmer right at the heart of the entire ecosystem. Solutions have begun to be more farmer-centric: each part of the value chain that is digitizing, be it finance, inputs (products needed to grow crops such as seeds, agrochemicals, and fertilizers), or advisory—are directly targeting the farmer.

Agtech is already boosting Indian agriculture

Between 2013 and 2020, the agtech landscape in India grew from less than 50 start-ups to more than 1,000, fueled by increased farmer awareness, rising internet penetration in rural India, and the need for greater efficiency in the agriculture sector. 3 Vaishnavi Dayalani, “The farming 3.0 opportunity: Inside India’s $24.1 bn agritech market,” Inc42, December 24, 2020. Moreover, India’s regulatory environment is gradually evolving to facilitate the growth of digital technologies in agriculture.

Agtech in India continues to ramp up—from core companies in the value chain using digital technologies like “super apps” to innovations by start-ups, or “agrifintechs,” and large technology companies.

Fully nurtured, the agtech ecosystem has the potential to propel Indian farmers’ incomes to grow by 25 to 35 percent.

Existing agriculture incumbents use digital technologies to either go direct to the farmer or to expand products and services across adjacencies. Suppliers are becoming buyers, advisers are adding finance—any combination is possible and happening:

• Providers of farming supplies such as agrochemicals, fertilizers, and seeds are using technology to create direct-to-farmer sales channels that bypass middlemen and retailers. For example, UPL (traditionally a core agrochemicals player) is providing mechanization services and agrochemicals to farmers through its nurture.farm digital platform. The company has also expanded to provide financing, advisory, and market services.
• Firms, including banks and nonbanks, primarily engaged in providing finance through farm and rural loans, are using technology to better understand the farmer, provide targeted products, and reduce loan risks. For example, the State Bank of India (SBI) developed the YONO Krishi app to meet farmers’ finance, inputs, and advisory needs.
• Companies that sell farm equipment have also started providing mechanization as a service to farmers. Mahindra, for example, offers a tractor rental service.
• Firms that operate in procurement, processing, or the selling of agricultural products have started to integrate backward into the supply chain and create market linkages for the farmer. For example, ITC, a core outputs player, used its e-Choupal network to expand direct-from-farm procurement over the past 20 years. It has now launched the ITCMAARS super app. Using a partnership approach, the app gives farmers access to modern tools, quality inputs at the right prices, and finance.

Fully nurtured, the agtech ecosystem has the potential to propel Indian farmers’ incomes to grow by 25 to 35 percent , and add $95 billion to the Indian economy, through reduction of input costs, enhanced productivity and price realization, cheaper credit, and alternative incomes (Exhibit 1). 4 McKinsey analysis.

The government’s role in enabling agtech

India’s government has also taken several policy steps and conducted pilots to foster technology and innovation in the agricultural sector:

• Easier digital reach through farmer collectivization. The government has promoted farmer–producer organizations (FPOs), granting $750 million to set up over 10,000 FPOs in the next five years. 5 “Budget 2020-21: Govt to announce Rs 10,000-crore 5-year plan for FPOs,” Financial Express , January 21, 2020. FPOs collectivize the otherwise fragmented farmer base, helping agtech companies (such as Samunnati) to easily access and scale up their business models.
• Development of the “agristack.” 6 Shreehari Paliath, “What is a digital AgriStack and why Indian farmers are opposed to it,” Business Standard , January 13, 2022. India is creating a unified database of agricultural data sets, which will be linked to farmers based on their land holdings. This will enable agtech companies to customize offerings and products based on farmers’ needs, which vary by land size, crop sown, and soil conditions.
• Digital soil-health cards. 7 “Soil health card scheme completes 5 years on 19-2-2020,” Government of India Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Press Information Bureau, February 17, 2020. A digital soil-health-card program entails mapping soil composition and quality at the farmer level. It could help agtech companies in India to promote precision-farming initiatives and tailor offerings for specific farmer groups.
• Digitally enabled direct benefit transfer in fertilizer sales. 8 Direct benefit transfer (DBT), Government of India Department of Fertilizers, accessed December 2022. This initiative directly transfers subsidies for fertilizers and other goods to the farmer. It authenticates the farmer’s identity at points of sale and through verification. It could significantly encourage the adoption of fertilizers and reduce leakages in transportation, maintaining affordability for smallholder farmers.
• National Agriculture Market (eNAM). 9 IBEF Blog , “ENAM – India’s nationwide electronic trading portal,” IBEF, February 24, 2022. This pan-India electronic online trading portal connects existing Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis , forming a unified national market for agricultural commodities that ensures better prices for farmers through the transparent auction process.
• Agricultural Accelerator Fund and digital public infrastructure. The government has recently announced a new fund for promoting the agtech ecosystem, potentially seeding new start-ups that may increase digital adoption and the range of digital solutions available to farmers. 10 “Budget 2023: Agriculture accelerator fund to increase productivity,” Mint , February 1, 2023. Additionally, the government announced its intent to build an open-source digital public infrastructure that will likely support agtechs with relevant information services across the value chain. 11 Mansi Verma, “Union Budget 2023: FM sows digital public infrastructure plan for agriculture,” Moneycontrol, February 1, 2023.

These initiatives are building an agtech ecosystem in the country, supporting farmers in areas where they need the most help.

What are investors looking for?

With government initiatives and the openness of farmers to tech adoption, agtechs are poised to engage with India’s farmers, but to be successful, they will need stable sources of funding and a vibrant, supportive ecosystem. 12 Salil Panchal, “Agritech investors: Not for the faint-hearted,” Forbes India , September 1, 2022.

Agriculture technology in India has flourished with the growing attention from venture capital (VC) in recent years. Accel and Sequoia Capital invested in companies such as Samunnati, Ninjacart, DeHaat, and Bijak. 13 AgFunder AgriFood Tech Investing Report - 2018 , AGFunder. During the past four years, agtechs in India have raised roughly $1.6 billion. VC firms invested more than $1.2 billion in 2022 alone through 114 deals, a 50 percent increase from 2021 and triple the investment made in 2020. The average deal size is growing, indicating that start-ups are maturing in this space despite an economic slowdown during the past two years (Exhibit 2). 14 PitchBook analysis, data extracted April 2022.

Of nine agtech categories, 90 percent of all VC funding was directed at five categories in 2022 (Exhibit 3): 15 PitchBook analysis, data extracted April 2022.

• Downstream agtechs:  These are primarily B2B or B2C platforms or brands to connect farmers with businesses or consumers. In 2022, such firms as Ninjacart, Absolute and Waycool raised more than $707 million in funding. Funding decisions are driven by the maturity of business models, the need for follow-up rounds of investments and highly accessible and monetizable opportunities across categories.
• End-to-end ecosystems: These are platforms that play across the value chain and have a significant presence in multiple segments, such as inputs and outputs. In 2022, such firms, for example, DeHaat, attracted more than $113 million in funding.
• Digital solutions and precision agtech: These are digital solutions or products which provide farmers with services such as advisory, precision farming and sensor-based solutions. In 2022, companies such as Cropin attracted more than $92 million in funding.
• Midstream agtechs: These are agtechs that help provide supply chain solutions that improve efficiencies in areas such as logistics and warehousing. In 2022, firms such as Arya attracted more than $80 million in funding.
• Agribiotech: These are agtechs that leverage biotechnology to create green and sustainable new products, or ingredients such as food additives. In 2022, firms like String Bio attracted more than $63 million in funding.

Unlike the rest of the world, where agricultural investment has centered on innovative foods—think Impossible Burgers or other plant-based foods—investment in India has centered on the basics: financing and technology to improve agriculture and farm practices and to avoid climate risks (such as droughts, pests, and flooding).

As a result, investors approach India with a different view. Our interviews with VC firms suggest that they focus on five factors when making decisions about new technologies: the size of the market, the breadth of offerings, traction with customers, an ability to scale, and the X factor (intangibles such as the learning curve it takes to use the new technologies efficiently).

Grow or die: Agtech success in India

Investors in Indian agtech are, or should be, asking some basic questions, including the following.

Does an agtech invest in multiple touchpoints and a breadth of offerings? Unlike e-commerce, agtechs get low transaction volumes for farmers but pay high acquisition costs, such as to get a farmer to install an app and try a product. This is complicated by the ceaseless efforts of multiple agtechs and incumbents to enter the space, lowering costs, and the farmers themselves being willing to experiment with multiple apps in the quest for most value.

To overcome this challenge, start-ups such as Gramophone, Samunnati, DeHaat, and more are offering more touchpoints and broadening their product portfolios to provide services across the value chain, from inputs and financing to advisory. Even platforms that start out with a single use case are expanding into adjacent parts of the value chain.

Does the agtech embrace a ‘phygital’ model? In rural India, both physical and digital infrastructure are important. Although 75 to 80 percent of farmer households have access to a smartphone, 16 McKinsey Farmer Survey 2021. most still prefer to have physical touchpoints for digital support such as tutorials or help with app installation. Agtechs such as Agrostar and DeHaat have field teams to make on-ground visits and to drive campaigns for greater penetration of their apps.

One way to support a customer: the ITC e-Choupal ecosystem has managed to bridge the gap in rural digital infrastructure through a network of central sanchalaks (overseers), who act as physical touchpoints for the ecosystem and on whom farmers continue to rely.

In-person contact with the farmer can happen in multiple ways. Field representatives are one option. Other examples include a fertilizer supplier’s presence in India’s local micromarkets or rural bank branches for agrifintechs.

Is the agtech charging for the right product or service? The right monetization model is crucial. Some firms are trying to monetize advisory services, but most farmers—not just Indian farmers—are reluctant to pay for advice. In general, advice is a gateway to business, not a business itself.

Is the agtech light on assets? Agtechs that rely less on investments in assets can scale up across geographies quickly. For example, Agribazaar had reached $2,250 million of gross merchandise value in fiscal year 2021, 17 “Agribazaar eyes 65% growth in merchandise value this fiscal,” Free Press Journal , August 16, 2021. with a fixed-asset base of around $2.5 million. 18 Agribazaar return-on-capital filings, fiscal year 2021. It did so by shifting the responsibility of storage, quality checks, and transport to buyers and sellers on the platform for the majority of transactions. 19 McKinsey analysis.

Agtechs that require investments in physical infrastructure or assets typically try to keep their models dependent on local entrepreneurs who make the investments in equipment and facilities. For example, DeHaat and Agrostar use village entrepreneurs to provide last-mile service and deliveries within villages, enabling them to aggregate demand and deliver larger volumes.

The potential for a bumper crop Indian agriculture

The investors and agtechs that navigate India’s unique hurdles may see boundless potential. The next three to five years will be critical for incumbents and new players.

It likely won’t become a winner-takes-all market. A few major players, especially those with strong supply chain linkages to the farm, could emerge as dominant players in this space. These companies could support a host of smaller, niche players that will in turn leverage the end-to-end platforms for growth.

Collaboration will be crucial. While agtechs might facilitate better decision making and replace manual farming practices like spraying, reducing dependence on retailers and mandis , incumbents remain important in the new ecosystem for R&D and the supply of chemicals and fertilizers.

There are successful platforms already emerging that offer farmers an umbrella of products and services to address multiple, critical pain points. These one-stop shop agri-ecosystems are also creating a physical backbone/supply chain—which makes it easier for incumbents and start-ups to access the fragmented farmer base.

Agtechs have a unique opportunity to become ideal partners for companies seeking market access. In this scenario, existing agriculture companies are creating value for the farmer by having more efficient and cost-effective access to the farmer versus traditional manpower-intensive setups. It’s a system that builds: the more agtechs know the farmer, the better products they can develop.

India’s farms have been putting food on the table for India and the world for decades. Digital technologies could enhance production at every step, from high-quality agriculture inputs to world-class agriculture outputs. This could help create sustainable growth for the Indian farmer, boost economic fortunes in rural areas in a flourishing ecosystem, and benefit the entire economy.

Namrata Dubashi is a partner in McKinsey’s Kolkata office, where Ayush Gupta is a consultant; David Fiocco is a partner in the Minneapolis office; Avinash Goyal is a senior partner in the Mumbai office, where Abhik Tandon is an associate partner; and Nitika Nathani is a partner in the Gurugram office.

This article was edited by David Weidner, a senior editor in the Bay Area office.

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List of Agricultural Research Institutes in India

If you want to understand more about the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and agricultural research organisations in India, read this page; you'll discover all you need to know.

Agriculture is vital to the overall health of a country’s economy. Agriculture is the foundation of a country’s economic structure. Agriculture and the ICAR give job possibilities to a considerable section of the people and provide food and raw materials. Agriculture is also a large portion of India’s GDP. Several variables will be discussed later in this piece that make it clear how vital agricultural research is, which is why numerous agrarian research centres have been established in India. Agricultural research’s primary goal is to increase knowledge and enhance technologies. In addition, it improves knowledge of the linkages and interconnectedness between farming communities and production systems. In this post, we’ll also talk about the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), whose main job is to organise, supervise, and oversee agricultural research and education in the country, so read on to learn more.

Agricultural Research Institutes in India

Agricultural research offers policymakers and funding agencies data. In addition, it facilitates the transmission of research-induced technologies to farmers, which is the only way to assess the societal value of research. Agricultural research impact studies also give scientists input on whether technologies or technological components work well on farms.

There is a total of 64 Indian institutes of Agricultural research, which are listed below:

• Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair
• Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur
• Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur
• Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad
• Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
• Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasargod
• Central Institute Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai
• Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hissar
• Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom
• Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru
• Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal
• Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur
• Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin
• Central Institute of Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai
• Central Institute on Postharvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana
• Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi
• Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla
• Indian Institute of Soil Sciences, Bhopal
• Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore
• Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad
• National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack
• Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
• Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad
• Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan
• Central Tobacco Research Institute, Rajahmundry
• Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner
• Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna
• Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani
• Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Old Goa, Goa
• Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
• Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi
• Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Ranchi
• Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut
• Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar
• Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow
• Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi
• National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Malegaon, Maharashtra
• National Academy of Agricultural Research & Management, Hyderabad
• National Institute of Biotic Stresses Management, Raipur
• National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata, Kolkata
• National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Hebbal, Bengaluru
• Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora
• Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
• Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow
• Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar
• National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal
• Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana
• Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi
• Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun
• National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi
• Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal
• Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram
• Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore
• Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, West Godavari
• Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneshwar
• Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad
• National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru
• Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneshwar
• Central Citrus Research Institute, Nagpur
• Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal
• Indian Institute of Seed Research, Mau
• Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Jharkhand
• Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Trivandrum

You must have learned a great deal about Indian institutes of agricultural research and ICAR. To summarise, research and development in the field of Agriculture are critical for developing a developing country like India, whose most of the population is dependent on Agriculture. Many research institutes make it very convenient and inspiring for the young brain and create a great interest. And having ICAR creates more job opportunities for everyone, which keeps everyone financially strong and helps to learn the working of our government with the agricultural industries. That concludes our discussion of Indian agricultural research institutions. If you have any concerns or questions about this topic, please review the text, and if you want to learn more about another related topic, remain in touch with us.

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In which city the first engineering Research Institute is situated?

What is icar, how many centres come under icar.

Ans- in Nagpur, the first engineering Research Institute was founded in 1958, focusing on water supply, sewage disposal, infectious illnesses, and, to a lesser degree, industrial pollution and occupational ailments, which were widespread in post-independence India.

Ans- ICAR stands for Indian Council of Agricultural Research . Its prime work is to coordinate, guide, and manage research and education in agriculture in India under the aegis of DARE, Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare.

Ans- Following are the centres that work under the guidance of ICAR

• 14 National Research Centres
• 13 Directorates or Project Directorates
• 65 Institutions
• 6 National Bureaux
• 4 Deemed Universities

Indian Agricultural Research Journals

The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences

A journal devoted to experimental agriculture and abstracted by all the major abstracting services. It includes articles on cytology, genetics, breeding, agronomy, soil science, horticulture, water use, microbiology, plant diseases and pest, agricultural engineering, economics and statistics with emphasis on original articles, from India and countries having similar agricultural conditions. NAAS Rating (2024): 6.4

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The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences

This journal caters to a wide clientele comprising veterinarians, researchers and students. Articles are included on animal breeding and genetics, immunology, biotechnology, diseases, medicine and pharmacology, anatomy and histology, surgery, pathology, physiology, nutrition, milk, meat and other animal products, housing and fisheries from India and internationally. NAAS Rating (2024): 6.4

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Indian Journal of Fisheries

The Indian Journal of Fisheries is published quarterly by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Original contributions in the field of fish and fisheries science will be considered for publication in the Journal. The material submitted must be unpublished and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Papers based on research which kills or damages any species, regarded as threatened/ endangered as per IUCN criteria or is as such listed in the Red Data Book appropriate to the geographic area concerned, will not be accepted by the Journal, unless the work has clear conservation objectives

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Fishery Technology

The Fishery technology is an international peer reviewed journal that provides essential information regarding aquaculture, fishing technology, fish processing and fishery resource management. The Journal is published quarterly (January, April, July and October) by the Society of Fisheries Technologists (India), Cochin, Kerala, India. The manuscripts have to be submitted online through the URL: http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/FT.

The Society of Fisheries Technologists (India) has instituted the Best Paper Award for the best scientific paper appearing in the journal every year. The Award carries a citation and a cash component of Rs. 5000/-

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Journal of Soil Salinity and Water Quality

The Journal (JSSWQ) was started in 2009 and since then biannual issues are being published regularly, June and December issues containing approximately 300 printed and online pages.

Potato Journal

Potato Journal;  formerly (till year 2003) known as “Journal of the Indian Potato Association”, is official journal of the Indian Potato Association (IPA).The  IPA was established in 1974 and registered under the “Indian Societies Registration Act XXI” of 1860 (registration No. 206/74; dated 15th June 1974). The journal covers all areas of potato research including Genetics, Breeding, Biotechnology, Agronomy, Soil Science, Seed Technology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Storage, Physiology, Biochemistry, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural Economics, Marketing, Statistics, Extension and Farm Machinery. The journal is published in two issues to form one volume per year. Information for authors can be found at the end of each issue. Acknowledgments to reviewers are published in the December issue. The IPA was founded with the objectives to advance the cause of potato research and development. Besides publishing Potato Journal (Formerly Journal of Indian Potato Association), the IPA also holds conferences, symposia and workshops to provide opportunities for personal contacts among potato workers to promote and exchange scientific and other information and to develop means of interaction among potato researchers, industry, farmers and consumers.

          Potato Journal publishes reviews, full length papers, short notes and book reviews on basic and applied research on potato.  Potato Journal   does not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs). The authors should be members of the IPA (foreign authors are exempted). Instruction related to acquiring IPA membership is provided under “Subscription Information” Section.

Cotton Research Journal

The inaugural issue of the ISCI Journal was published in January 1976 , since then the periodical has witnessed increasing patronage from cotton scientists from all over India and abroad. By 1990s, the 6- monthly journal had transformed into a quarterly publication to accommodate the rising number of articles originating from ICAR institutes and agricultural universities in which government funded research programmes were on the increase.

Indian Farming

This magazine is for people interested-in-farming. The aim is to present scientific information in a popular style to the progressive farmers and people interested in application of science to day-to-day problems to Indian farming. It has articles, book reviews, photo features, interviews, success stories and an editorial page. Two special issues are also brought every year. One in October on World Food Day and another on any special occasion; accent issues are also brought out on subject of topical issues. It is most authoritative and popular farming magazine in India published since 1940.

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Indian Journal of Extension Education

The Indian Journal of Extension Education (ISSN 0537-1996, eISSN 2454-552X) is the peer-reviewed, official publication of the Indian Society of Extension Education,  (ISEE) New Delhi publishing original research papers/ research notes/ research tools in the field of extension education and allied fields since 1965 . The Indian Society of Extension Education, Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi is a registered professional society under the societies registration act XXI of 1860  (Punjab Amendment) Act 1957 as extended to Union Territory of Delhi under registration number S-2504 dated 22.06.1964 .   The  Indian Journal of Extension Education is  published quarterly and UGC CARE Listed since January 2023.

Indexed in  Elsevier Scopus,  CAB International, Index Copernicus International Journal Master list, Google Scholar, Scilit, Semantic Scholar, AGRIS of FAO, BASE, WorldCat, EBSCO, Crossref, PlumX, Mendeley, etc.  

The Scopus cite score 0.7 of in June 2024 ( https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21100846015 )

NAAS rating:  4.58 ( January 2024)  

NAAS Journal ID: I063 ( Effective from January 2024)

Indian Horticulture

A semi technical magazine devoted to publishing articles on new techniques of raising vegetables, fruits and flowers from India and countries having similar agricultural conditions. Special issues are also brought out on topical issues. It is bimonthly.

Open Access Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Welcome to Open Access Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ( OAJMAP ) the only Open Access journal dedicated to the field of medicinal and aromatic plants. It is managed and published by the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India ( MAPAI ) hosted by the Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research ( DMAPR ), formerly, National Research Centre for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , Boriavi, Anand 387310, Gujarat, India. This Journal is indexed and abstracted by Bielefeld Academic Search Engine ( BASE ), CABI , Chemical Abstracts Service ( CAS ), DOAJ , Google Scholar , Open J-Gate , Scopus , Scirus and SCImago Journal Rank ( SJR ). And is a proud partner of the CIARD RING and GODAN . EDITORIAL BOARD

Journal of Agricultural Engineering

The Journal of Agricultural Engineering (India) is a peer-reviewed Journal and publishes interdisciplinary basic and applied research manuscripts of engineering and technology to address the problems of agricultural, food, and biological systems. The journal publishes papers of both theoretical and applied nature, with a special focus on experimental research, new design criteria, mathematical modelling and innovative approaches relating to all fields of agricultural engineering and technology.  This journal uses double-blind review process .

The Journal of Agricultural Engineering (India) is not an open-access journal, but a subscription based journal.  Journal doesn't charge article processing charges (APC), article submission fees, or surcharges based on the length of an article, colour illustrations, or supplementary data.  To attract and publish many high-quality papers, the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers instituted the  Best Paper Award  and the  Best Reviewer Award . These awards are announced annually in the Annual Convention of Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers.

Journal of Oilseeds Research

Indian Society of Oilseeds Research (ISOR) began to publish biannual scientific Journal Journal of Oilseeds Research from 1984, which is a unique Journal in the country publishing scientific papers/reviews on all aspects of annual & perennial oilseed crops. This is the only Journal that is dedicated to the oilseed research, catering to the needs of researchers, students, academicians and policy makers, by supplying updated information on various aspects of oilseeds research. So far, in the past 37 years, the journal is being published every year without any break. Based on the increase in the number of manuscripts received as well as the increased members of the society, the journal is being published quarterly (March, June, September, and December of every year) since 2016. Also with the constant guidance of honorary members of ISOR, and unstinted efforts of the editorial boards of the journal, not only did the pattern as well as the quality of the Journal improved but also the NAAS rating of the journal: 3.97 to 5.02. It is being consistently maintained at this level since the last three years.

Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science is the periodical brought out quarterly since 1953 (March, June, September and December) and it covers all aspects of soil study.

The Society organizes seminars, symposia, conferences, meeting etc. enables members of ISSS and others to interact and disseminate knowledge on soil and land.

Annual Convention of the Society is held regularly. This Society has celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1984, Diamond Jubilee in 1994 and Platinum Jubilee in 2009.

The Journal of Research ANGRAU

The Journal of Research ANGRAU is the University Publication (quarterly) of Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University ( ANGRAU ) and has been published since 1973. This journal is celebrating its 50 th volume in the year 2022 and has started only online issue since 2022.

The Journal is a double-blind peer-reviewed journal that seeks to encourage research in agriculture, horticulture, agricultural engineering, community science/home science and social sciences (agricultural extension and agricultural economics). The JOR ANGRAU provides a platform to publish original research work in all agricultural and allied sciences.

JOR ANGRAU supports research articles which explore innovative experimental approaches and empirical studies. The Journal recognizes works across the above disciplines and therefore especially values meta-disciplinary analyses that will provide a foundation for communication across these academic fields and disciplines.

  The journal has a NAAS rating of 4.27 (2024) and is a UGC-CARE-approved journal. The Journal is Indexed by CAB International (CABI), AGRIS (FAO) and Indian Citation Index (ICI). Journal has a presence in Google Scholar. The Journal publishes quality research papers in Agriculture and allied sciences after meticulous double-blind peer review process.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Indian Journal of Veterinary Anatomy

Indian journal of dairy science.

Indian Journal of Dairy Science is a scientific journal of Indian Dairy Association. The objective of the Association shall be the advancement of dairy science and industry, farming, animal husbandry, animal sciences and its branches including dairy farming & research on breeding, and management of dairy livestock.

Annals of Agricultural Research

A Journal published by Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences, IARI, New Delhi an umbrella society for Agricultural sciences.

NAAS Rating: 4.62

Indian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Indian Journal of veterinary journal publishes review article(invited), original /applied research, clinical reports short communications on all area of animal health including diagnosis treatment and control.

Editorial Board Subscription Details

Journal of Cereal Research

Journal of Cereal Research (JCR ISSN: 2582-2675), formerly known as Wheat and Barley Research / Journal of Wheat Research (erstwhile ISSN: 2249-4065), serves as an official organ of Society for Advancement of Wheat and Barley Research (SAWBAR) for the peer-reviewed Publication of reviews, research papers, short communications as per Article 14.1 of the constitution and by-laws of the society. The Journal is sent free to its members.

NAAS Rating (2021): 4.57

No. of Issues: Thrice in a Year (Peer-Reviewed)

Journal of Cotton Research and Development

Indian Journal of Hill Farming

AGROPEDOLOGY

The Agropedology is a scientific journal of The Indian Society of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ISSLUP) launched in the year 1991. The journal is published six monthly (two issues per volume, June & December). Original contributions covering research articles, review articles and short communications in the field of soil sciences, agronomy, engineering, agriculture economics, and physical geography will be considered for publication.

NAAS Rating: 4.63

Mushroom Research

Mushroom Research, the official publication of the Mushroom Society of India is a bi-annual journal. It publishes full papers and short communications reporting original research, basic and applied, which contribute significantly to the knowledge of the mushroom science and industry. Mini-reviews (with prior consent or invitation only) and articles of practical/technical importance will be published. News and views, and book reviews will also be considered. The author (s) should be the members of the Society. Till date 32 volumes, each having two issues have been published.

It is peer reviewed Journal and has NAAS rating of  5.33 (2024) . S.No 2126. JrnID  M120  ISSN 0972-4885. Journal is registered by  DOI systems . It is listed in Indian citation Index and UGC care list. The Journal is indexed in UGC care List 2023 at Sr. No. 18026 and journal no. is 37111. The journal is also indexed in CABI, Google scholar, International Society for Research Activity (ISRA), Scientific Journal Impact Factor (SJIF) (USA), Agricola (USA).

Indian Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Research

The Indian Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Research, published six times in a year (bi-monthly) by Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, considers original papers for publication on all aspects of Veterinary, Animal, Fisheries, and Food sciences (related to animal products).

The Indian Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Research (IJVASR) has been published since 1972, initially under the name 'Cheiron' until 2005, and later as the 'Tamil Nadu Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences'. In 2014, the journal adopted its current name to reflect its national relevance and improve visibility. In its current format, IJVASR now publishes review articles, peer-reviewed research articles, short communications, and case reports.

NAAS Rating (2024): 4.11

Journal of the Inland Fisheries Society of India

T he Society regularly brings out a Journal named "The Inland Fisheries Society of India". The 1 st  Volume was published in December, 1969 and since then made a place among the top fishery journals in the country. The Journal publishes original research works, monographs, invited review articles and books on specialized subjects for exchange and dissemination of information in the country and abroad.

 The journal of Inland Fisheries Society of India welcomes original research contributions broadly in the field of inland fisheries science. The scope of the journal includes fisheries research on aspects related to inland waters-rivers, reservoirs, floodplain wetlands, estuaries and other brackish waters.

Journal of Indian Fisheries Association

The Journal is published QUARTERLY, in March, June, September and December every year, by the Indian Fisheries Association hosted at ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai. The first issue was published in the year 1971. This NAAS rated and widely circulated Journal contains original contribution from eminent scholars in the field of fisheries, aquaculture and related subjects. Now, JIFA has a new Editorial Board and sports a fresh design and layout, delivers more and better content, and assures enhanced author and reader experience. 

The Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Journal of Ornamental Horticulture

The  Journal of Ornamental Horticulture (ISSN 0972-0499, eISSN 2249-880X) is the peer-reviewed, official publication of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture,  (ISOH) New Delhi publishing original research papers/ research notes/ research tools in the field of Ornamental Horticulture and allied fields since 2011. The Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture, Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi is a registered professional society under the Society Registration Act XXI of 1860 Act 1957 as extended to the Union Territory of Delhi .   

NAAS rating (2024): 4.63

NAAS Journal ID (2024): J433

Annals of Arid Zone

Indian Journal of Animal Production and Management

The journal is the official research journal of the Indian Society of Animal Production and Management. It was started in the year 1986 to publish original research work in the area of livestock production management. The first issue was published in the year 1986 by the Department of Livestock Production and Management, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. Current frequency of the journal is Quarterly (4 issues per year). The Journal office is presently functioning from the Department of Livestock Production Management, Veterinary College, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The Journal of Research, PJTSAU

Formerly The Journal of Research, ANGRAU The Journal of Research, PJTSAU is being published in place of Journal of Research, ANGRAU since July, 2014 and the publication of The Journal of Research, PJTSAU is mere continuation of the earlier Journal.

Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition

ORYZA-An International Journal of Rice

ARRW publishes peer reviewed original research articles, short communications and review articles on all aspects of rice research, covering basic and applied work on crop improvement, crop management, crop protection and environmental security.

Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research

The Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research (ISCAR) was established in the year 1982 and registered under the Certificate of Registration of Societies Act XXVI of 1961 with the registration no. S/40093 of 1982-83 dated 20.02.1983. Since 1983, the society has been publishing two issues of The Journal of the Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research in a year, first issue in June and second issue in December. The journal has a current NAAS rating of 5.45 (2024) .

Year of start: 1983 (Print version)

2018 onwards - Both Print and Online

Print ISSN: 0972-1584

Online ISSN: 2584-0320

Journal of Sugarcane Research

Indian Journal of Agroforestry

International Journal of Seed Spices

The International Journal of Seed Spices is published by the Indian Society for Seed Spices half yearly basis with the aim to provide an appropriate platform presenting well considered, meaningful, constructively thought provoking, non-political and non-controversial but critically analyzing and synthesizing present and future aspects of research on seed Spices and related commodity reference to our country and rest world. The contributors are expected to highlight various issues of irrigation, management, soil, agronomic practices, precision agriculture, breeding, post harvest, IPM, climate change along with meaningful suggestions for solution, refinement and innovations.

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

The Journal regularly publishes refereed research articles, reviews, research notes and short communications of high impact in basic and applied research, development and management issues on soil and water conservation as well as watershed management and policy aspects of agriculture and rural development. Comprehensive review articles in the area of soil and water conservation and management, case studies and success stories are also published in the Journal.

The Andhra Agricultural Journal

The Andhra Agricultural Union was started in 1954 at Agricultural College, Bapatla.  A scientific Journal “ The Andhra Agricultural Journal ” is published by the Union since its inception to educate and encourage the agricultural science fraternity. It publishes original scientific work related to strategic and applied studies in all aspects of agricultural and allied sciences, as well as reviews of scientific topics of current agricultural relevance. In the beginning, it was a bimonthly journal and it was transformed into a Quarterly Journal from 1982 onwards and registered with the Registrar of News Papers of India as Quarterly under The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1860 with Registration No. 5751/57. The present NAAS rating of the Journal is 3.61 .

Journal of Farm Sciences

The Indian Veterinary Journal

The Indian Veterinary Journal, popularly known as IVJ among veterinarians is a monthly periodical of international status devoted to the cause of updating knowledge of the of veterinarians with it’s research and clinical articles. It is a monthly journal with twelve issues in a year with ISSN (Print): 0019-6479; ISSN (online): 0974-9365. Website of this journal is http://www.ivj.co.in   & https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IVJ . The Journal publishes original work in veterinary medicine, animal health production, veterinary clinical subjects and allied disciplines such as Dairy development, livestock and poultry husbandry etc., The Journal is of particular importance to field veterinarians, veterinary faculty, veterinary practitioners, researchers, veterinarians from industry and Under graduate, Post graduate and doctoral students from universities of Veterinary & Animal Sciences.

NAAS Rating (2024): 4.99

Indian Journal of Plant Protection

The Plant Protection Association of India (PPAI)  publishes the Indian Journal of Plant Protection (IJPP). Four issues of the journal are published every year in March, June, September and December. The journal indexed / abstracted in Indian Citation Index, Bioscience, Chemical abstracts, Review of Applied Entomology, Review of Plant Pathology and other CAB abstracts and Agrindex of FAO. 

Journal of the Andaman Science Association

Andaman Science Association has been publishing a journal called the Journal of the Andaman Science Association from 1985. It was also conducting national and international symposium at Port Blair. So far we have published 17 volumes with two issues during the period 1985 to 2000. In 2012 remaining volumes 18 to 20 with two issues were published. There is great demand of the journal in national and international institutions and is addressing particular niches were of island ecology and island agriculture having a multidisciplinary approach.

Agricultural Economics Research Review

Journal of the Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics

The Society publishes an International Peer Reviewed Journal called Journal of the Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics with ISSN 0019-6363. Three issues of the Journal (April, August and December) are published annually. The first volume of the Journal was released in 1948. The Journal devoted to the publication of original research papers on all aspects of Statistics and Computer Applications preferably with innovative applications in Agricultural Sciences or that have a potential application in Agricultural Sciences. The review articles of the topics of current interest are welcome. The Journal also accepts books, monographs and periodicals for review. Special issues on thematic areas of both national and international importance are also brought out.

Indian Journal of Poultry Science

Established in 1965, Indian Journal of Poultry Science (IJPS), a leading peer-reviewed Indian journal in the field is an official publication of the Indian Poultry Science Association (IPSA), Izatnagar-243 122 (UP). The publication is aimed at providing access to academicians, researchers and industry professionals from across the globe to publish their work on all aspects of poultry science through research papers, short communications and review articles. The journal is published three times in a year as one volume in April, August, and December and circulated to IPSA members free of cost. Till date 58 volumes each with 3 issues have been published.

Seed Research

Indian Society of Seed Technology, F-5, A Block NASC Complex, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, New Delhi 110012 is a registered professional society under registration number 28898/73 since 1971. Seed Research is the Official publication of Indian Society of Seed Technology (ISST). It publishes original research papers in the field of 'Seed Research'. It is the scientific publication of the Indian Society of Seed Technology (ISST), which is brought out in two issues per year consisting of original papers and review articles in all areas of seed science and technology e.g. seed production, sampling, testing, enhancement, processing, physiology, entomology, pathology, storage, genetic conservation, habitat regeneration, seed business, plant variety protection, policy issues, etc. and allied fields since its inception from 1973.

Journal of Agricultural Physics

The Journal of Animal Research, which is published half yearly in Print and Electronic form by New Delhi Publisher, accepts exceptionally exciting, novel and timely communications presenting new and original research work for publication keeping in mind the all round welfare of domestic animals including poultry, companion animals, wild animals and experimental models in lab animals. The task of the Journal is to attract the papers on original research articles, short communication and peer reviewed articles from an individuals and organizations of International repute dedicated to animal science, and veterinary science and education. Articles published in the Journal of Animal Research cover a broad range of explorative topics in all subjects of veterinary and animal sciences including animal production, reproduction, growth and Health aspects of domestic animals. This includes veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, veterinary gynaecology and obstetrics, animal genetics and breeding, animal nutrition, veterinary physiology and biochemistry, veterinary parasitology, veterinary microbiology, veterinary pathology, veterinary pharmacology and toxicology, livestock product and technology, livestock production and management, veterinary public health and hygiene, veterinary anatomy, poultry science, laboratory animals and wild animals. The journal is also focused on research and management of laboratory animals (e.g. rat, mice, rabbit, guinea pig etc.) and wild animals. However, basic types of papers and notes which relate to investigations in a narrow specialized branch of a discipline may not form an appropriate material for this journal. The Journal of Animal Research will publish the reviews, short communication and proceedings of symposia of National and International relevance subject to the final decision of Editor in Chief. National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) Rating 2024: 4.78

Indian Journal of Nematology

Indian Journal of Nematology is published by the Nematological Society of India ( https://nemaindia.org.in/ ), which is located at the Division of Nematology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (I.A.R.I.), New Delhi-110012. It has been continuously published since 1971 and is a bi-annual (June and December) publication of the Society. 

All the published issues are available at https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijn&volume=54&issue=1&type=toc

So far 53 volumes have been completed, and volume 54 (1) June issue has been published, 54(2) December 2024 is in progress. The IJN special issue published in March 2024   is kept as open access (OA)  at the NSI website: https://nemaindia.org.in/ijn-volumes/ 

National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) rating - 5.07,  Citescore - 0.2; SJR - Q4 and SNIP - 0.1

IJN, a UGC-approved Journal, is abstracted in Nematological Abstracts, USDA PubAG, Veterinary Science Database, Chemical Abstracts, Google Scholar, Scopus, Index of Copernicus, ASCII, etc.

Current Horticulture

Since its establishment in 2013, 'Current Horticulture ' has been a cornerstone publication in the field of horticultural science. Published by the Society for Horticultural Research and Development, the journal has played a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration within the horticultural community. With its inaugural issue marking the beginning of a journey towards excellence, 'Current Horticulture' has consistently upheld a commitment to quality and innovation. Over the years, the journal has evolved into a platform where researchers, scientists, academicians, and stakeholders converge to share their latest findings, insights, and advancements in various facets of horticulture. From plant cultivation techniques to breeding methodologies, from genetics to pest management strategies, each issue of 'Current Horticulture' showcases a diverse array of articles that 

contribute to the collective understanding of horticultural practices. Its publication schedule, releasing three issues annually in April, August, and December, ensures a steady flow of cutting-edge research to the global horticultural community. Through its dedication to excellence, 'Current Horticulture' has earned recognition as a leading publication in the field, driving innovations and shaping the future of horticultural research and development.

The journey of 'Current Horticulture ' since its inception in 2013 exemplifies a commitment to scholarly excellence and advancement in horticultural science. As a publication of the Society for Horticultural Research and Development, the journal has served as a beacon of knowledge dissemination, providing a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their insights and discoveries. With its inaugural issue, the journal embarked on a mission to elevate the discourse surrounding horticulture, covering a wide range of topics including plant cultivation, breeding, genetics, pest management, and post-harvest technology. The triannual publication schedule, releasing issues in April, August, and December, ensures a regular influx of cutting-edge research from around the globe. 'Current Horticulture ' has become synonymous with quality and rigor, attracting submissions from esteemed scholars and experts in the field.

Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development

Indian Phytopathology

Indian Phytopathology a leading plant pathology research journal deals with the disciplines of Mycology, Fungal Pathology, Bacteriology, Virology, Phytopathology and Nematology. The journal is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. The society has published the journal for over 69 years. The journal has national as well as global reach.

ISSN : 0367-973X (Print version)

ISSN : 2248-9800 (Electronic version )

Abstracting/Indexed in:

CAB Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, RUNNERS, Indian Citation Index (ICI), Google Scholar, AGRIS (International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology),Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), AGRICOLA, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), WorldCat, PASCAL database, RefDoc

Indian Phytopathology offers online first publication upon acceptance

Indian Phytopathology has instituted a feature called Online First Look. Within a few days of acceptance, papers by authors who choose to participate will be posted online. The papers have been peer reviewed and then revised as necessary by the authors but have not been copyedited, formatted, or assigned to an issue.

The date on which each paper is posted is considered the publication date. This paper has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication but has not yet been copyedited or proofread. The final published version may differ

Annals of Plant Protection Sciences

Tobacco Research

The Tobacco Research journal publishes papers concerned with the advancement of research in tobacco throughout the world. It publishes original scientific work related to strategic and applied studies in all aspects of tobacco as well as reviews of scientific topics of current tobacco relevance.

ISVIB Journal Veterinary Immunology & Biotechnology

Journal of Agricultural Extension Management

The Journal of Agricultural Extension Management (JAEM) disseminates information relating to extension systems and practices, research on extension, efficient organization of technology transfer and other socio-economic issues concerning agriculture and allied areas. Papers on original research in the field of agricultural extension and allied sectors, covering new developments, concepts and their application in effective extension work are accepted for publication.

Project Director

Director:  Dr Anuradha Agrawal Email: [email protected] Address: ICAR-DKMA, KAB-1, Pusa, New Delhi, India

Technical Support

Name: Shantanu Kumar Singh Email: [email protected] Address: ICAR-DKMA, KAB-1, Pusa, New Delhi, India-->

Agriculture and Allied Sectors

The Vertical aims for a transformation of Indian agriculture, led by innovation, for improved nutrition and income of farmers, through sustainable as well as inclusive growth.

Policy Design and Analysis

The Vertical designs new programmes and policies for agriculture and allied sectors to address emerging challenges and harness upcoming opportunities. It also provides inputs on key policy documents such as Cabinet Notes, CCEA Notes, EFCs, and SFCs, among others.  

Member (Agriculture) regularly provides strategic inputs to the Prime Minister's Office and other Ministries and participates in important policy decisions related to the sector.  

Research and Knowledge Exchange

The Vertical conducts both in-house research studies and partners with research institutes and academia. These studies analyze emerging issues, such as problems faced by farmers, food security, and the impact of various policies and developmental programmes.  

Policy Advocacy

The Vertical represents NITI Aayog in international, national and regional fora and media interactions to create a suitable environment for the proper understanding of Government's policies and initiatives.  

Stakeholder Consultations

Collecting and collating stakeholder views form an integral part of the Vertical's work, as several key documents, such as the Vision document, are based on extensive stakeholder consultations.  

Working with States

The Vertical monitors trends, changes and undercurrents in agriculture and the rural economy of various States. It offers suggestions and advice for addressing challenges faced by the farmers and the sector. Activities range from consultations on key policy issues, solving bottlenecks with Central Ministries to monitoring the progress of key schemes.  

Working with Line Ministries

The Vertical works closely with the relevant Line Ministry to design interventions, accelerate development, and attain the vision of building a New India. It also provides feedback on implementation of issues and the output of various Central schemes.

Research Institutes/Organisations

Food and Agriculture Organization

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

World Food Programme

Institute for Competitiveness

Network for Certification and Conservation of Forest 

The Nature Consultancy 

World Agroforestry, World Resource Institute 

International Bamboo and Rattan Network

Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education

Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Agroforestry Research Institute Space Applications Centre

Indian Space Research Organization

National Remote Sensing Centre

Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management

Indian Agricultural Research Institute  

Private Sector

Neural Blocks

Milk Mantra

Growmore Biotech Ltd

Cluster of Handicrafts in Bamboo Value Addition and Research (CHIVAR)

Bamboo Forum of India

Bengal Veneer Industries

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Department of Fisheries

Department of Cooperation

Department of Agricultural Research and Education

Report Name	Download
Pathways & Strategy for Accelerating Growth in Edible oil towards Goal of Atmanirbharta
Working Group Report on Crop Husbandry, Agriculture Inputs, Demand & Supply
Greening and Restoration of Wastelands with Agroforestry(G.R.O.W)
Millets Mainstreaming in India, Asian and African Countries
Compendium of 75 Agri Entrepreneurs and Innovators
A New Paradigm for Indian Agriculture from Agroindustry to Agroecology
Agriculture in Post-Independent India: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Report of the Task Force on Sugarcane and Sugar Industry
Buffer Stock Norms of Pulses
Working Group Report on Demand and Supply Projections towards 2033
Enhancing Technology Use in Agriculture Insurance
Final Report of the Task Force Sugarcane and Sugar Industry
Report of the Expert Committee and Model Law on Agricultural Land Leasing
Addressing Agrarian Distress: Sops versus Development

Promotion of Natural Farming

NITI Aayog's strategy to promote natural farming has been multidimensional. First, leading experts were invited to share their views with senior Government officials of both Central and State Governments. Second, various practices of natural farming were documented and scientifically validated for replication across the country, with the help of knowledge partners.  

A High-Level Roundtable on Agroecology  was organised virtually, with the Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and leading international experts from the FAO, WWF and CGIAR.  

Experts provided evidence from the latest studies and cutting-edge research as well as practical experience. Their analysis showed that natural farming and other agroecological approaches such as organic agriculture hold great promise for Indian agriculture. This would ensure farming that is not just productive but truly regenerative and sustainable.  

The National-Level Consultation on the ‘Principles and Practices of Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati or Natural Farming'  was attended by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the Governors of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, international experts from the FAO and UN, as well as representatives of farmers' organizations. As many as 600 participants attended the two-day consultation.

During the deliberations, the multiple benefits of natural farming were highlighted by practitioners. For example, increased farmers' incomes, resilience to extreme weather events, improvement in soil fertility, increased organic carbon content, savings on agri-inputs, significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and increase in quantity and quality of produce.

Follow-up meetings were held to chart the way forward, which included the preparation of success stories and the collection of empirical evidence for scientific validation.  

National Dialogue on Enhancing Farmers' Income, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Food Systems: NITI Aayog, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and FAO initiated a national dialogue in 2019 for facilitating the transformation of Indian agriculture. A steering committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, and domain experts from relevant fields. So far, the committee has held six meetings and decided on priority areas. The first round of the dialogue process was held virtually between 19 and 22 January 2021. The second round will be held in mid-2021 to consolidate ideas and recommendations for the way forward.  

Policy Paper on ‘A New Paradigm for Indian Agriculture': This paper examines the structural transformation of India's economy. It provides evidence of mounting unsustainability in agriculture and highlights that a growing population and the threat of climate change necessitate higher productivity and diversification. The goals of sustainability and productivity can emerge as trade-offs to policymakers. The paper calls for a new paradigm in Indian agriculture through the adoption of agroecological principles at scale. The paper has been peer-reviewed by renowned agriculture economist Dr Bruno Dorin of CIRAD. It is in the final stage of completion.  

Blockchain for Natural Farming: Lack of quality produce and traceability have hampered India's food exports, apart from disincentivising growers. Blockchain technology can help bridge this gap. To pilot such an initiative, the Agriculture Vertical, in consultation with the Frontier Technologies Vertical, has been working with Neural Blocks, a start-up that provides blockchain-based solutions. A pilot project has been launched in Himachal Pradesh, with the support of the State Government, in providing data. Apple has been chosen as the first crop.  

Website on Natural Farming : A dedicated website on natural farming is being developed by NITI Aayog. The website will show natural-farming initiatives taken by different States, related schemes, guidelines, success stories, etc.  

Agriculture Transformation Index

NITI Aayog is working on an Agriculture Transformation Index, which will measure the performance of States across six pillars: inputs, sustainability, productivity and diversification, policy, preservation, processing and exports, and farmers' income and welfare. The index is aimed at capturing the new policy paradigm in agriculture, at the core of which are sustainable intensification and increasing farmers' income.  

Farm-to-Table: Driving India's Agriculture Sector Digitally

A meeting of private-sector experts was convened by NITI Aayog to draw a roadmap for the digital transformation of India's agriculture sector. The group, led by ITC, presented its ideas and a roadmap for the implementation of ‘ Krishi Neev ' to the Hon'ble Prime Minister in August 2020. Four pilots are currently underway and expected to be completed soon. The pilots include farm-advisory services, price prediction and blockchain for quality certification.

Agriculture Dashboard

The development of a dynamic agriculture dashboard is underway that will track State-wise data on select indicators such as weather, production, arrivals, etc. The dashboard will aggregate existing sources of agriculture and will be dynamically updated through APIs.

Documenting Initiatives of States in Adopting Agri-Reforms

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, is tracking the implementation status of marketing reforms by State Governments, to identify issues hampering their adoption.

Promotion of Agroforestry and Wasteland Greening

A policy paper on identifying bottlenecks in the development of agroforestry in the existing National Agroforestry Policy is currently being prepared. The recommendations are being made through a consultative process, involving international institutes, think tanks and Line Ministries.

Bamboo as an Alternative Source of Wood

Research over the past decades has demonstrated bamboo as a viable alternative to wood and other traditional materials in construction and infrastructure works. A policy paper is being prepared to promote the development of the bamboo industry, identifying bottlenecks and offering policy recommendations.  

Roadmap for Self-Sufficiency in Oilseeds

Through data analysis, interaction with experts and review of literature, NITI Aayog has formulated a draft roadmap for self-sufficiency in oilseeds. The findings have been shared with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare for finalisation of the policy.

Research Study on Waste to Wealth

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with ICAR-IARI, is conducting a comprehensive research study to develop technologies to convert crop bio-waste into farm compost, which is economically viable, to reduce stubble-burning.

• Youtube Link
• Concept Note

Presentations

--->

S.NO	Title	Link
1	Technical Session 1 - Bamboo - Tissue culture and Micropropagation - Dr. EM Muralidharan
2	Technical Session 1 - Bamboo cultivation practices and production potential - Shri Anand Fiske
3	Technical Session 1 - Bamboo plantation and produce opportunities and constraints - Dr. Abhinav Kant
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5	Technical Session 2 - Challenges and path ahead to…il engineering material - Prof. Supratic Gupta
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The Mapping & Exchange Of Good Practices (MEGP) Initiative For Millets Mainstreaming In Asian And African Countries

पौष्टिक अनाजों (मिलेट्स) को मुख्यधारा में लाने के लि ए एशिया और अफ्रीका मे प्रचलि त अच्छी प्रथाओं के संकलन तथा आदान – प्रदान (एमईजीपी)

पौष्टिक अनाजों (मिलेट्स) को मुख्यधारा में लाने के लि ए एशिया और अफ्रीका मे प्रचलि त अच्छी प्रथाओं के संकलन तथा आदान – प्रदान (एमईजीपी) हेतु प्रयास

Launching Ceremony Of Mapping And Exchange Of The Good Practices (MEGP) For Millets Mainstreaming In Asia & Africa

Millets Mainstreaming: A Conceptual Framework

The Mapping & Exchange Of Good Practices (Megp)Initiative For Millets Mainstreaming In Asian AndAfrican Countries

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• Published: 05 May 2023

Sustainability transition for Indian agriculture

• Bino Paul 1 ,
• Kamal Kumar Murari 1 ,
• Unmesh Patnaik 1 ,
• Chandra Sekhar Bahinipati 2 &
• Subash Sasidharan 3  

Scientific Reports volume  13 , Article number:  7290 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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• Environmental sciences
• Environmental social sciences

Farming in India faces a sustainability challenge due to its overreliance on chemical inputs. For every US$ 1,000 investment in sustainable farming, a US$ 100,000 subsidy is allocated for chemical fertilizers. Indian farming system is far off the optimal nitrogen efficiency, calling for substantial reforms in policy towards the transition to sustainable inputs. We examine the propensity of Indian farmers to adopt biofertilizers and other sustainable inputs. While small farmers are inclined towards chemical inputs, sustainable inputs are costly. Here we show that less than 5 per cent of the farming population contributes to the 95 per cent usage of the bio-fertilizer in India. However, small and marginal farmers contribute substantially to food security. Shifting from chemical to sustainable inputs calls for autonomous investment by the state to augment the capacity and improve affordability. We illustrate the transition to sustainability through a framework that includes scale, affordability, and sustainable inputs.

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Introduction.

India’s progress in crossing the threshold towards a sustainable linkage between farming and food security is slow. It failed to move from the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Index (SNMI) precarious zone to a safer zone 1 , 2 . Although the share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been declining over the decades, it still generates close to two-fifth of employment while its share in the national income is nearly one-fifth 3 , 4 . Most Indian farms (85%) are marginal and small, relying on the monsoon 5 . Fertilizer is a crucial input in farming 6 . Broadly, fertilizers are of two types: chemical and bio. However, the relationship between fertilizer and soil health is not unidirectional but non-linear 7 , 8 , 9 . Although the scientific literature posits improvements in yield due to chemical fertilizers, there is no dearth of inferences pointing to emerging disadvantages 7 , 10 , 11 . The question of optimal fertilizer use is rather difficult for an individual farmer to answer unless they have access to knowledge inputs 12 , 13 , 14 . Although the advocacy for the chemical regime emerges from an angle of food security, it is now increasingly regarded as a threat to sustainability. Sustainability in agriculture refers to increasing yield per unit without negatively affecting soil and water, and non-agricultural sectors 15 . Society encounters two types of challenges: (1) adopting sustainable agricultural practices to feed people now and in the foreseeable future and (2) doubling food production to meet the required demand across the world by 2050 16 . A pertinent question is the pace of transition. The path is not linear. Instead, it requires resources and public goods. A discrete transition from chemical to bio inputs may debilitate the region’s ability to coordinate the public distribution system. Hence, the challenge is to have a balanced transition which is inclusive. Therefore, in this paper, we examine the propensity of Indian farmers to adopt bio-fertilizers and other sustainable inputs.

Although bio inputs are associated with efficiency and return, there are capacity constraints in production, distribution, storage and quality 17 , 18 . Fundamentally, the problem involves two dimensions: capacity and usage. In India, capacity is yet to come up for a balanced transition that absorbs marginal to medium land holdings 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 . Compared to the large subsidy for chemical inputs, the public investment in bio inputs is much lower than the threshold. The chemical fertilizer subsidy in India is worth Rs. 1,400 billion (US$ 18 billion), whereas the total allocation for organic inputs is only Rs. 13.2 billion (US$ 0.17 billion) 3 , 22 . In other words, for every US$ 1,000 investment in sustainable farming, a US$ 100,000 subsidy is allocated for chemical fertilizers. However, recent policy initiatives like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) aim to promote farming units to use bio inputs and provide financial support and provisioning of inputs. Such policy interventions may be helpful in terms of cost reduction, even though they may induce a slight revenue decline. Studies have shown that compared to conventional techniques, farms which adopt organic inputs yield better efficiency 23 , 24 . However, significant challenges emanate from inordinate delays in provisioning financial resources, inadequate training, and lack of scientific facilities 25 .

Although the capacity side generated considerable scholarly interest, studies on the usage of bio inputs in India's context are nascent 25 , 26 . Therefore, exploring the relationship between scale heterogeneity and the propensity to use bio inputs is crucial. For this purpose, we structure farming units into bins, bagging small, medium and large units in distinctive groups, to gauge the variation in chemical inputs and the adoption of bio inputs using nationally representative farmer-level microdata 27 . Our empirical analysis examines four farming systems focusing on sustainability and scale. Further, we discuss the transition in input usage across the systems. An example is transitioning from low-scale and low-sustainable input to low-scale and high-sustainable input usage.

The burden of inputs on farming households

The performance of the farms in the Indian agriculture sector is sensitive to the scale of value and quality of inputs and gross value of outputs (GVO). GVO is a measure of sales or revenue from products and by-products. To examine GVO across production classes, we split the farming households into four quartiles based on GVO per unit of land cultivated. Box-whisker plots in Fig.  1 visualize each quartile for input and GVO.

Box and whiskers plot for input and output value (defined in terms of Gross Value Outputs-GVO) values for per unit land cultivated across 58,035 farming households in NSS 77th round survey. The vertical axis in panels ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), and ( d ) are values (in INR) of input and GVO per unit hectare of land. The quartiles in panels ( a ), ( b ), ( c ) ,and ( d ) are based on GVO per unit land.

Figure  1 shows the input and output distribution per land across four quartiles of farming households based on GVO per ha of land. For the first quartile (Fig.  1 a), the distribution of unit input is free of outliers, although the upper bound is high. Most of the area in the box is above the median, implying a marked variability within it. However, the unit output distribution is compact. The median value of GVO is substantially lower than that of the unit input, which implies that the visible variation in the input box coexists with a fixed lower output margin. It is typical of Indian agriculture, which describes the precarious incomes of small farm households in India 28 . The second quartile is not discernibly different from the previous one (Fig.  1 b), but the median values of both inputs and output are higher than the first quartile (Fig.  1 a). The third quartile turns out to be a changed scenario (Fig.  1 c). It features a positive margin between unit output and input per unit of land. While some data points in the input box are outliers, most of the box is above the median. There are no outliers for the unit output, and the above-median area is higher than the lower part. The fourth quartile is entirely different from the rest. The GVO is visibly higher than the input, suggesting positive returns for larger farmers (Fig.  1 d). It also confirms the extent of the agrarian crisis in India, as widely acknowledged by various studies 29 . Therefore, in order to overcome the agrarian crisis, the key is lower input costs, sustainable farming methods, and livelihood security for farmers. Further, we observe a similar trend for inputs and GVO in absolute terms across farming classes (Fig. S1 ).

A comparative analysis of farm sustainability across household classes

An important dimension is the composition of inputs (both in quality and quantity) used in agriculture. The expenditure on agricultural inputs in India consists of improved seeds, fertilizers, crop protection (chemical and biological), machinery, irrigation, land rent, payments for extension, crop insurance premiums, and other miscellaneous expenditures. We reinvestigate the input cost in terms of chemical fertilizer, pesticide, biofertilizer, manure, biopesticide, labour, irrigation and crop insurance by inscribing it in the deciles of the GVO (Fig.  2 a). Interestingly, we observe a divergence between chemical inputs and green inputs. In the case of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, we observe a consistent decline in their share as the decile increases. However, the pattern reverses for green components that consist of biofertilizer, manure and biopesticide. It implies that large farmers are more inclined towards green inputs than smaller ones. An intuitive explanation is that large farmers have more proximity to knowledge channels like formal and informal extension services 30 . The labour share is increasing from the lowest to the highest decile. However, irrigation shows a reverse pattern. It indicates that the large farming units engage in intensive farming. A similar pattern prevails for all inputs for the unit value (output per land) across deciles (Fig. S2 ).

Sustainability component for the input used in Indian farming. The sustainability component is defined as the cost of the ratio of the organic form of input (bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticide, and manure) to the total organic and chemical inputs (fertilizer and pesticides). Panel ( a ) shows the relative cost of different components of input costs per unit area. Note that the cost in panel ( a ) shows only the cost of inputs, labour, crop insurance, and irrigation. The Figure does not consider other inputs such as seeds, machines, land rent, and miscellaneous costs. The value indicates the median values of the farming households in the NSS 77th round. Panels ( b ) and ( c ) shows the sustainability component arranged in deciles of households according to the GVO (panel b ) and GVO per unit of land (panel c ). The bar in panels ( b ) and ( c ) shows the average values, and the error bar in the panels shows the minimum and maximum range of values.

Among the inputs, the cost of fertilizer and labour are the principal ones, varying across deciles. The area of the decile depicts the share of fertilizer to the total value of inputs. We divide each decile in Fig. ( S3 ) by the first decile. The ratio for fertilizer cost tends to decline over the first to tenth decile range. It implies that marginal farmers rely more on chemical fertilizer in production, which is the reverse for large farmers. A plausible explanation is that the knowledge of soil health through channels like formal and informal extension may not reach marginal farmers 30 . The Government of India's recently launched soil health card scheme aimed to cover all sections of the farming category. While the awareness for the scheme is high, indicating the benefits for high fertilizer-consuming crops such as paddy or cotton, careful planning is needed to obtain widespread benefits to agriculture and the environment in the country 31 . These include specially designed pilot projects, use of technology, reduction in the subsidy of nitrogenous fertilizers, doorstep delivery of micro-nutrients, and prioritized funding for the development of supply chain infrastructure 31 .

Regarding labour expenditure, deciles show a consistent increase except for a slight dip in the last decile (Fig.  2 a). Higher deciles are likely to provide more scope for scaling up the operations that require more labour. On the other hand, for the lower deciles, hired labour perhaps is unaffordable. Hence, they resort to their own account work (self-labour) for farming 32 , 33 . It is crucial to assess the outcomes if we divide these inputs by land (Fig.  2 c). For these indices, however, the pattern remains the same (Fig.  2 b, c). It means more land productivity and lesser use of chemical fertilizers, while the amount of labour tends to increase.

Further, we define the aggregate usage of green inputs (biofertilizers, manure and biopesticides) to the total value of inputs as the sustainability component (SC). We compute the deciles of either the value of the output or its unit value (Fig.  2 b, c). Across deciles, the confidence interval (at 95 per cent) of the mean is of homogeneous width, and its statistically significant, explaining a consistent and systematic variation across deciles. The ratio consistently rises for the first set of deciles, and the same behaviour is also valid for the second set. It is an important pattern that unravels the link between affordability and sustainability. A relevant issue is why the green ratio is lowest for the lower strata, even after standardizing it for the land size (Fig.  2 c). Plausibly, switching over to green inputs relies on affordability and awareness. Therefore, a natural question is whether the agricultural extension service caters to marginal farmers. Further, a significant policy issue is how to provide green inputs to the lower strata at affordable prices.

Affordability of inputs across farming households

Regarding affordability, it is crucial to know if the SC varies across the economic strata, measured by the deciles of per capita monthly consumption expenditure (MPCE). For every decile, we compute the average of SC at a 95% confidence interval (Fig.  3 a). There is a direct relationship between the economic strata of the farming unit and the SC adopted for farming, despite small dips at the third and ninth decile. The SC for the eighth decile is twice the first. It implies that adopting sustainability in farming is sensitive to the affordability of the farmers. Small and marginal farmers may find switching to green inputs difficult unless it is appropriately priced and supplemented by knowledge inputs. Considering that small and marginal farmers, in aggregate, substantially contribute to food production, the adoption of SC by them requires a comprehensive policy framework that considers affordability. On the other hand, an umbrella policy for SC that does not explicitly account for affordability may impact food security in the long run.

Distribution of sustainability component and measures of expenditure inequality on chemical and bio-inputs. Panel ( a ) shows the sustainability component arranged in deciles based on the MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Expenditure) values. The bar in panel ( a ) shows the average value, and the error bar shows the 95% confidence interval. Panel ( b ) shows the Lorenz curve for the expenditure on chemical fertilizer for the households with the bottom ten percentile (green dashed line), all households (solid blue line), and top 10 percentile (red dashed line) according to MPCE values. The legends in panel ( c ) and ( d ) are the same as in panel ( b ), except it shows the households’ expenditure on bio-fertilizers. Panel ( d ) is the zoomed portion of the panel ( c ) for better visualization of the legends. In panels ( b ), ( c ), and ( d ), the solid black straight line shows the one-to-one relationship of the cumulative rank and the cumulative values, which indicates the line of equality as per the description of the Lorenz curve. The Gini values in panels ( b ), ( c ), and ( d ) indicate the measure of inequality. The higher is Gini, the higher the inequality of distribution of a variable.

Further, to understand the distribution of expenditure on chemical and biological fertilizers in Indian farms, we used the Gini inequality index and the Lorenz curve 34 . Gini and Lorenz get widely adopted in literature to examine the income and wealth distribution in society. The Gini index takes values between 0 and 1. The closer the index is to 0, the more equal the distribution is and vice-versa 34 . The Lorenz curve shows the graphical distribution of income by the proportion of the society. We use Gini and Lorenz curve for the distribution of expenditure used on fertilizer (Fig.  3 b) and io-fertilizer (Fig.  3 c, d) per unit of land.

Interestingly, the expenditure distribution on chemical and bio-fertilizer is significantly differ (Figs. 3 b–d). The results indicate that all MPCE-class farmers in India use chemical fertilizers. Although the inequality in expenditure in chemical fertilizer is high, the distribution of expense in chemical fertilizer is more homogenous among the lower MPCE class (poorest class of the farmers) compared to the wealthiest class of the farmers (Fig.  3 b). These results confirm the findings of the village-level surveys, which indicate that the application of chemical fertilizer among poor farmers is quite prominent 35 . Field studies indicate that small farmers use high doses of fertilizer for cultivation, which often generates negligible returns subjected to climatic and market conditions 36 . Our results point out that a reduction in government subsidy on chemical fertilizer may have a detrimental economic impact on small farmers since their share in the use of chemical fertilizer is substantial and more homogenously distributed across households (Fig.  3 b).

The distribution of biofertilizer looks sensitive to the tail of the distribution (Fig.  3 c, d). The distribution is markedly skewed. It indicates that only the extremely rich farmers can afford and apply biofertilizers. Figure  3 (panels c and d) indicates that less than 5% of the farming population contributes to the 95% usage of bio-fertilizer in India. To ensure the long-term sustainability of Indian agriculture, bio-fertilizer distribution (Fig.  3 c,d) needs to attain more equality across all sections of the farming population.

It is crucial to evaluate the Indian farming system from two dimensions: scale and sustainable inputs (Fig.  4 ). The system consists of units that vary in the scale of operations. It ranges from highly marginal land holding to larger ones 37 , 38 . And the scale also corresponds to the order of the economic strata. The second dimension is the usage of sustainable inputs 39 . It also varies from low to high intensity. Juxtaposing these two generates ideas about the linkage between farming performance and the use of sustainable inputs. We slice the space into four quadrants called systems. The system I is a situation of medium to large-scale farming units and medium to high usage of sustainable inputs. What characterizes system II are small to medium-scale of farming and medium to high intensity of sustainable inputs. We get system III by combining small to medium scale and low to medium sustainable input usage. Finally, system IV consists of medium to large-scale operations and low to medium-intensity of sustainable inputs.

Systems of interaction between sustainable inputs in agriculture and scale of farming. The system refers to the way of organizing sustainable inputs given the scale of the land. System III is the baseline which characterizes the prevalent scenario, i.e., low use of sustainable inputs and fragmented lands, while the system I is the desired state depicting the upgrading. While system II is a more realistic outcome for countries like India owing to institutional constraints, system IV represents large-scale farming with low SC. Arrows represent the transition from one system to another. The shaded boxes depict the state of agriculture in each system, while the plain boxes convey the prerequisites for transformation.

Each system has its specific features. System I is numerically small in Indian farm sector. What is highly probable in the current scenario is the positive link between scale and sustainable input usage. Induced investment and knowledge capital contribute to this 40 . Investment in technology is likely to generate better returns, considering the historically lower capital formation in Indian agriculture 41 , 42 . And large farming units may resort to it, contributing to efficiency gains 43 . It is crucial that knowledge capital, especially extension services, may go along with the propensity to adopt sustainable practices 30 . A major variant of this behaviour is the adoption of bio inputs over chemical inputs 44 . System II is less likely to exist and is futuristic. System III is the more common and numerically most significant category in India 45 , 46 . This system consists of the sub-optimal performance of production units 47 . Although a micro-unit in the system is of lower economic significance, the system as an aggregate is too crucial for the supply chain of food grain and food security. Moreover, it is the principal source of employment in the country. System IV is a less likely scenario.

There are three transition scenarios. First is the change from system III to II. Alternately, the second trajectory is from system III to I. The third transition is from IV to I. Although the second transition looks like a logical option, institutional constraints impede the journey, particularly in India 48 . Landholdings in India is not just a property right in the market 49 , 50 , it is also embedded with diverse social contexts such as joint family. Any initiative to unitize the land and consolidate is likely to meet with resistance from social forces and formal and informal institutions 51 , 52 . Therefore, the first trajectory is the feasible one. It implies that the transition involves the same scale of farming with more sustainable inputs, like prioritising organic inputs in rainfed and hilly regions that tend to use fewer chemical inputs.

Given that most farming units are marginal, they will require more capacity for investing in the transition to sustainable inputs. It calls for investments autonomous of returns by agencies like the state. A blanket policy on adopting sustainable inputs that is neutral on the scale may not work for the transition 53 , 54 , 55 . It is crucial to note that the above-discussed dynamics is a scenario of upgrading but not upscaling. However, the transition from system III to I, is a case of upscaling through institutional arrangements like a contract or corporate farming. Its political economy is a contentious issue in contemporary India 56 . An interesting scenario is a transition from IV to I. It involves motivating medium to large units to use sustainable inputs, primarily through induced investment, with a clear expectation of future return.

More succinctly, these transition paths depict heterogeneous contexts that call for appropriate policies to promote the use of sustainable inputs in farming. The transition to sustainability is sensitive to the social structure of knowledge creation and diffusion in farming systems. In India, the formal channel of knowledge consisting of government agencies and universities is less efficacious in impacting the decision to reduce chemical fertilizer. On the other hand, the private channel, including progressive farmers, commercial agents, and non-governmental organizations, are impactful in decisions to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer 30 . Without understanding the heterogeneity of transition, a policy favouring wide adoption as a standard template may trigger undesirable outcomes, especially food security 55 . If the policy confides in induced investment by the units and the scaling up as a route to promote sustainable input use, it is unlikely to motivate the marginal units. From a micro perspective, it is merely a decision problem by the producer. However, its macro dimension is rather complex since the aggregate of these units translates to significant stakes in the public distribution system and livelihoods.

Data and methods

We use the microdata from the National Sample Survey 77th round (NSS 77th round) survey on the theme of “land and livestock holding of households and situation assessment of agricultural households”. National Statistical Office conducts the survey, Government of India. The data was collected during 2018–2019, which captured the information for two cropping seasons. There were separate visits for both seasons. While the first round captured the data for July to December 2018 (monsoon season), the second round was from January to June 2019 (post-monsoon season). Since Indian agriculture is predominantly rainfed, we examine only the data from the monsoon season. The farming household is the unit of analysis. Either the head of the household or a key informant (a representative of the household familiar with farming details) is the respondent. Samples were drawn from 5940 first-stage units (hamlet groups). Our sample comprises 58,035 households across India (except for the union territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Fundamentally the analysis examines the monetary value of output and input used in agriculture. Further, these measures are also divided by the area of land operated for farming (in ha). The value of output refers to the monetary value of the output produced. The value of the input is the sum of the monetary value of diverse components. These components include chemical fertilizers, manure, biofertilizers, chemical pesticides, biopesticides, labour, irrigation, crop insurance, and other inputs. Chemical fertilizers are either inorganic materials or synthetic ones. It supplies nutrients to the growth of plants. For example, ammonium sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, and urea are chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers have living microorganisms that contribute to the growth of the crop, for example, Rhizobium , Bacillus sp., and Mycorrhiza . Manure is a natural substance that emerges from the waste of plants and animals, for example, cow dung. Pesticide refers to chemical plant protection material like Copper Sulphate or Lime-Sulphur. Biopesticides are non-chemical plant protection materials like Azadirachta indica (Neem oil), Brassica napus (Rapeseed oil) and Mentha piperita (Mint oil).

Labour costs are the value of payments to the hired labour irrespective of the nature of the contract (be it regular or casual employment). Irrigation, crop insurance, and other inputs are valued per actual expenses incurred. Apart from the value of inputs and output, we analyse the monthly consumption expenditure of the household. It is divided by the size of the households to arrive at monthly per-capita consumption expenditure. This variable captures regular spending on durables and non-durables incurred by the household. And it is a proxy for the economic well-being of the household.

We deploy a descriptive approach to dissect the variables of interest. It includes the comparison across quartiles and deciles. In quartiles, three values split the sorted data into four parts, each with an equal number of observations. The lowest quartile is the bottommost strata (lowest 25% of the data), while the highest quartile is the topmost strata (highest 25%). To visualize the quartile, the box plot is used. If an observation lies outside the box, it is called an outlier, situating in either extreme. Within the box, the median is the crucial indicator of central tendency used for comparison across quartiles. It is crucial to analyze the deciles for incisive data slicing. Decile implies that data is split into ten equal-sized bins with nine cut points. Its utility lies in a more microscopic assessment of tails. We compute the median for every decile and divide ith decile \({D}_{i}\left(\overline{x }\right)\) by the first decile \({D}_{1}\left(\overline{x }\right)\) , called the multiplier ( \({M}_{i}\) ). Equations ( 1 )–( 3 ) describe computing.

where \(i\) is the order of the decile (1 to 10); \(n\) is the number of sorted and ungrouped observations, and \(D\) is a particular decile. D ( \(\overline{x }\) ) is the average of the decile. The purpose of the multiplier is to convey the volume of growth or contraction in the average across the distribution, taking the first decile as the reference point. For example, suppose it is a case of growth; the multiplier informs about the particular decile at which the first decile doubles, trebles, or quadruples. It is valid for contraction as well. We also compute a sustainability component (SC) indicator. SC is the expenditure on biofertilizer, manure and biopesticide as a proportion of the total input expenditure. The higher the decile average value { \({D}_{i}\left(\overline{x }\right)\}\) of SC, the greater the orientation towards environmental sustainability and vice versa. Here, we use the average instead of the median because the mode is closer to zero. Another crucial reason for using the average is to examine if the variation is consistent across deciles. It can be gauged by computing the confidence interval at a suitable level.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Paul, B., Murari, K.K., Patnaik, U. et al. Sustainability transition for Indian agriculture. Sci Rep 13 , 7290 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34092-0

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Agriculture 4.0: Future of Indian Agriculture

• Mar 23, 2023, 14:35
• Agriculture

Overview of Agriculture in India Agriculture plays a significant role in India’s growing economy. With around 54.6% of the total workforce involved in agriculture and allied sector activities, the sector contributes to 17.8% of the country’s gross value added (GVA). During 2021-22, the country recorded US$ 50.2 billion in total agriculture exports with a 20% increase from US$ 41.3 billion in 2020-21. It is projected that the Indian agriculture sector will grow by 3.5% in FY23.

With the use of conventional farming methods, there’s comparatively less improvement in efficiency and agricultural yields which resulted in lower productivity. Due to this concern, the government initiated the fourth wave of revolution in the agricultural sector to introduce technological advancement in these activities to improve yields and promote the involvement of the population in this sector.

Agriculture 4.0 is a considerably advanced version of precision farming methods. It has the potential to transform the existing methods of farming. Precision farming focuses on a comprehensive approach towards maintaining the field and soil well-being with a focus on improving the quality and quantity of yield with minimum environmental harm. The idea of revolution in agriculture involves the use of the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence, and robotics to accelerate and improve the efficiency of activities throughout the entire production chain. It has the potential to transform the conventional farming industry. Conventional farming practices control crop watering and spraying pesticides or fertilisers uniformly across the field. Instead, the farmers will need to be more targeted and data-driven in the context of farming. Future farms will be more productive owing to the employment of robotics, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial photos, and GPS technology. These cutting-edge methods will improve farm profitability, efficiency, safety, and environmental friendliness. They are together referred to as advanced or high-tech precision farming.

Around one-third of food produced for consumption which is worth over US$ 1 trillion is lost or wasted in transit. This leads to millions of people sleeping hungry every night. The UN World Food Programme reports state that the primary cause of rising hunger around the globe is food wastage or loss due to uneven handling of food.

The concern about food wastage gave rise to the involvement of technology in agriculture to improve productivity and reduce wastage by proper handling of food. The data analytics and AI will help farmers to monitor the activities of seeds to the final crop. This will result in better yield and as a result, people will be involved in agriculture and eventually, the nation will target the least hunger issues. These challenges led to the introduction of Agriculture 4.0 wherein farmers won’t be dependent on water facilities, fertilizers, and pesticides uniformly across entire fields. Instead, farmers will be suggested to use minimum quantities and target specific areas for different crops to get better productivity.

Prospects of Indian Agriculture The continuous technological innovation in the Indian agriculture sector plays a critical role in the growth and development of the Indian agriculture system. It will be crucial for ensuring agricultural production, generating employment, and reducing poverty to promoting equitable and sustainable growth. Constraints include diminishing and degraded land and water resources, drought, flooding, and global warming generating unpredictable weather patterns that present a significant barrier for India's agriculture to grow sustainably and profitably. The future of agriculture seems to involve much-developed technologies like robotics, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technology. Farms will be able to be more productive, efficient, safe, and environmentally sustainable owing to this cutting-edge equipment, robotic systems, and precision agriculture. 

Various factors such as data analysis matrix and technological advancement in the existing agricultural machinery contribute to the production of food grains for consumption and commercial needs. The production of commercial food grain support the economy and improves the GDP.

Hence, the future growth of Indian agriculture appears to be growing with an upward graph which is backed by technological advancements and government initiatives.

Recent Trends in Agriculture India’s agriculture mainly depends on nature, however changing climate and global warming are making farming unpredictable. The need to use modern technologies to increase productivity and profitability led to the emergence of Agriculture 4.0 in India. There have been significant changes in India in the context of agriculture over the decades and many new technologies have been developed. Several new-age farmers are using soil mapping software as well to determine the optimum level of fertilizers used in the farms. These emerging technologies in farming and agriculture pave the way for more opportunities. The aggrotech start-ups and traditional farmers are also using the latest solutions and trends to improve production in the food value chain. It includes the adoption of new technologies such as cloud-based solutions and other relevant advanced agricultural management techniques to increase farmer efficiency and produce more crops.

• Grape farmers in India who have begun spotting and geo-locating crop diseases or pestilence, allowing them to control infestations earlier and in a more precise manner. This also leads to lower use of harmful pesticides on the crop. Soil mapping software is used by several new farmers to determine the optimum level of fertiliser use in their farms. They are also using drones which allow spraying pesticides in a more targeted manner.
• Sugarcane farmers in India have started using technology to gauge the most appropriate time to harvest their crops, which allows them to better plan their harvest and maximise output. Several Indian farmers have also begun to use AI/ML-powered technologies to forecast crop yield, weather conditions and price trends in mandis. A few farmers have also begun testing self-driving tractors and seed-planting robots to free their farms from the vagaries of labour shortages.

Emerging trends in the agricultural sector that are quite prominent in the post-liberalization era include increased production, increased investment, diversification of the sector, use of modern techniques, development of horticulture and floriculture, increasing volume of exports and development of the food processing industry.

Some of the recent trends in agricultural technology:

• Agricultural Drone Technology-

Drones are used widely for medical delivery to protection assistance and are used in agriculture to improve the growth of crops, maintenance, and cultivation methods. For example, these ariel carriers are used to access crop conditions and execute better fertilization strategies for more yields. Even the accessibility of hovering robots help farmers through a survey of large areas and data collection to generate better insights about their farms. Using drones in agriculture has provided more frequent, cost-effective remote monitoring of crops and livestock. It also helps analyse field conditions and determine appropriate interventions such as fertilizers, nutrients, and pesticides.

• Diversification of Agriculture-

The agricultural sector produces generic consumption needs as well as crops like fruits, vegetables, spices, cashews, areca nuts, coconuts, and floral products such as flowers, orchids, etc. With the increasing demand for these products, there’s a huge potential in terms of production and trade of these products. This shows how the agricultural sector is being transformed into a dynamic and commercial sector by shifting the mix of traditional agricultural products towards higher quality products, with a high potential to accelerate production rates.

The diversification in agriculture is being supported by changes in technology or consumer demand, trade or government policy, transportation, irrigation, and other infrastructure developments.

• Increasing Trend in Horticulture Production-

The availability of diverse physiographic, climatic, and soil characteristics enables India to grow various horticulture crops. It includes fruits, vegetables, spices, cashew, coconut, cocoa, areca etc. The total horticulture production in FY22 is estimated at 342.333 million tonnes which is an increase of about 7.03 million tonnes (2.10% increase) from 2020-21. 

• Development of Agriculture in Backward Areas-

In the post-green revolution era, the introduction of new agricultural strategies, research, and technology was mostly limited to producing specific food grains, i.e., wheat and rice. However, under the wave of liberalization, with the growing demand for agricultural exports, many new sectors of agricultural activities have become favourable and profitable.

In some agriculturally backward areas with no irrigation system and access to fewer resources, dryland farming has been introduced. Other activities were also encouraged such as horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, etc. To support the development in those areas, various modern techniques have been installed in the backward areas.

• Ariel Imaging-

Ariel imaging involves the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology to analyse the potential of irrigation projects and their impact on land degradation, erosion, and drainage. The visuals of this technology allow assessment of an individual plant’s foliage. These visuals are actively used to detect pests and diseases to protect crops from environmental threats. It mostly helps farmers to monitor the soil conditions of farms and is useful in the summer season when there is the least availability of water.

• Hydroponics and Vertical Farming

The concept of hydroponics farming focus towards better yields, texture, and taste of the final product with less water consumption. Plants which are grown hydroponically do not need extensive root systems and it allows them to contribute more energy towards the production of leaves and fruits. Because of indoor cultivation, these plants mature quickly and possess better immunity against pests and other diseases. In the context of sustainability, vertical farming allows farms to be located near or within areas of high population density which reduces the need for transportation and any harmful emissions. Vertical farming provides the ability to grow crops in urban environments and contributes to the availability of fresh foods conveniently. This farming significantly reduces the amount of land space required to grow crops compared to conventional farming methods.

• Various farm sensors such as autonomous vehicles, wearables, button cameras, robotics, control systems, etc help in the collection of data to analyse the performance of the farm.
• Use of aerial and ground-based drones for crop health assessment, irrigation, monitoring and field analysis.
• Use of tools to predict rainfall, temperature, soil, humidity, and other forecasted natural calamities.

Government Initiatives The government has taken various initiatives to enable the potential digitalization of the agricultural sector in India. It focuses on promoting Agri-tech businesses which are working towards boosting productivity.

• The government has finalised an India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) framework that will establish the architecture for the federated database of farmers. This database is being built by taking the publicly available data as existing in various schemes and linking them with the digitalized land records. The IDEA would serve as a foundation to build innovative Agri-focused solutions leveraging emerging technologies to contribute effectively to creating a better Ecosystem for Agriculture in India. This Ecosystem shall help the Government in effective planning towards increasing the income of farmers and improving the efficiency of the agriculture sector.
• To facilitate agricultural engineering research, operations, and technology diffusion, the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal (ICAR-CIAE) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created the Krishi Yantra App. A web portal has been made available by ICAR-CIAE on their website to guarantee that businesses choose the proper mechanisation technology. This aids current and potential business owners in choosing machines and purchasing options. The portal also offers the option of user and specialist engagement.
• Farm Safety app was developed by ICAR-CIAE which provides information about safety guidelines and Safety Gadgets to avoid accidents while using different types of agricultural machinery.
• A smartphone app called Water Balance Simulation Model for Roof Water Harvesting assists decision-makers in recommending design criteria. It provides that where the implementation of a roof water harvesting system may result in water savings and water security.

Conclusion Agriculture is an important sector of the country. It is one of the market-driven industries that employ a large segment of the country’s population. The new changes over the last few years have been enormously helpful to contribute more towards economic growth. Recent advancements such as drones, and data-driven facilities help to monitor the process of farming. It has been supporting farmers to increase productivity and contribute more towards the agricultural economy.

The future of Indian agriculture seems bright and promising with the advent of new technologies. The government has increased its focus on the sector, implementing various policies and initiatives to boost productivity and growth. India’s vast and diverse agricultural landscape, coupled with advancements in technology, provides immense opportunities for farmers to harness their potential and increase yield. In addition, start-ups in the agricultural sector are working towards providing innovative solutions to farmers in terms of supporting them with better productivity, measuring tools and other data-driven strategies.

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