Agriculture in India - Overview, Cropping Patterns, Green Revolution, Irrigation Systems, Agricultural Credit, and Recent Developments

Agriculture in India: Overview, Cropping Patterns, Green Revolution, Irrigation Systems, Agricultural Credit, and Recent Developments

Agriculture has historically been the backbone of the Indian economy and continues to play a crucial role in India's socio-economic structure. Despite rapid industrialization and the growth of the services sector, agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for a significant portion of India's population. It ensures food security for more than 1.4 billion people, provides raw materials to industries, supports rural employment, and contributes to export earnings. For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, agriculture is a core topic under Indian Economy, Geography, Environment, and Current Affairs, with frequent questions in both Prelims and Mains.

Indian agriculture is characterized by diverse agro-climatic conditions, varied cropping patterns, dependence on monsoon rainfall, predominance of small and marginal farmers, and increasing challenges related to climate change and sustainability. Over time, major reforms such as the Green Revolution, expansion of irrigation, institutional credit, and digital initiatives have transformed agricultural production, but structural problems still persist.

Importance of Agriculture in India

• Employment: Agriculture and allied activities employ around 45 percent of India's workforce, making it the largest source of employment.
• Contribution to GDP: The agricultural sector contributes around 15–18 percent to India's Gross Value Added (GVA), despite employing a much larger share of the population.
• Food Security: Agriculture ensures the availability of food grains, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, milk, and fisheries.
• Industrial Linkages: Many industries such as textiles, sugar, food processing, and pharmaceuticals depend on agricultural raw materials.
• Rural Development: Agricultural growth is essential for poverty reduction and inclusive growth in rural areas.

Structure of Indian Agriculture

The structure of Indian agriculture reflects historical land relations, demographic pressure, and regional diversity.

Landholding Pattern

• Indian agriculture is dominated by small and marginal farmers (less than 2 hectares), who constitute over 85 percent of total farmers.
• Fragmentation of landholdings has increased due to population growth and inheritance laws.
• Small landholdings limit mechanization, investment, and economies of scale.

Nature of Farming

• A large part of Indian agriculture is subsistence-oriented, especially in rainfed regions.
• Commercialization has increased in regions growing cash crops like cotton, sugarcane, and horticultural crops.

Dependence on Monsoon

• Nearly half of India's net sown area is rainfed and depends heavily on the southwest monsoon.
• Variability in rainfall leads to frequent droughts, floods, and production instability.

Major Crops of India

India produces a wide variety of crops due to its diverse climate and soil types.

Food Crops

• Rice: Staple food for a large population; mainly grown in eastern, southern, and coastal regions.
• Wheat: Major rabi crop; dominant in north-western plains.
• Millets: Jowar, bajra, and ragi; drought-resistant and nutritious.
• Pulses: Gram, tur, moong; India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses.

Commercial Crops

• Cotton: Important fiber crop; India is one of the largest producers globally.
• Sugarcane: Raw material for sugar and ethanol.
• Oilseeds: Groundnut, mustard, soybean; crucial for edible oil security.
• Plantation Crops: Tea, coffee, rubber.

Horticulture

India is a global leader in the production of fruits and vegetables, with horticulture contributing significantly to farmers' income and nutrition security.

Cropping Patterns in India

Cropping patterns in India are influenced by climate, soil, irrigation, technology, market demand, and government policies.

Seasonal Cropping Pattern

Zaid Crops

Zaid crops are grown between the rabi and kharif seasons, mainly under irrigated conditions, such as watermelon and cucumber.

Regional Cropping Patterns

• Rice-based systems: Eastern and southern India.
• Wheat-based systems: Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh.
• Millet-based systems: Arid and semi-arid regions.

Irrigation Systems in India

Irrigation is critical for reducing dependence on monsoons and increasing cropping intensity.

Major Sources of Irrigation

• Canals: Important in northern plains; dependent on perennial rivers.
• Wells and Tube Wells: The largest source of irrigation; especially in north-western India.
• Tanks: Traditional system in southern India.

Challenges in Irrigation

• Over-extraction of groundwater.
• Low water-use efficiency.
• Regional imbalance in irrigation development.

Green Revolution in India

Key Features

• Introduction of HYV seeds of wheat and rice.
• Expansion of irrigation facilities.
• Use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Mechanization of farming.

Impact of Green Revolution

• Significant increase in food grain production.
• India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains.
• Regional and inter-crop disparities increased.
• Environmental issues such as soil degradation and water depletion.

Agricultural Credit in India

Access to timely and affordable credit is essential for agricultural growth.

Institutional Sources

• Cooperative credit institutions.
• Commercial banks.
• Regional Rural Banks.

Role of NABARD

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development plays a key role in refinancing, rural development, and policy support.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

KCC provides short-term credit to farmers for crop cultivation at subsidized interest rates.

Challenges Facing Indian Agriculture

• Fragmented and small landholdings.
• Water stress and climate change.
• Low productivity compared to global standards.
• Market inefficiencies and price volatility.

Recent Government Initiatives

• PM-KISAN: Income support to farmers.
• e-NAM: National electronic agricultural market.
• PM-AASHA: Price support for farmers.

Way Forward

• Promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Improving irrigation efficiency through micro-irrigation.
• Strengthening agricultural research and extension services.
• Enhancing farmers' access to markets and value chains.

UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Practice MCQs

1. Which of the following crops is a rabi crop?

   Answer: Wheat

   Explanation: Wheat is sown in winter and harvested in spring.

2. The largest source of irrigation in India is:

   Answer: Wells and Tube Wells

   Explanation: Groundwater irrigation dominates in India.

3. The Green Revolution initially focused on which crops?

   Answer: Wheat and Rice

   Explanation: HYVs were first introduced for wheat and rice.

4. Which institution is the apex body for agricultural credit?

   Answer: NABARD

   Explanation: NABARD coordinates rural credit institutions.

5. PM-KISAN provides:

   Answer: Direct income support

   Explanation: It transfers income support to farmers.

6. e-NAM aims to:

   Answer: Create a unified national agricultural market

   Explanation: It integrates APMC markets digitally.

7. Which crop is most water-intensive?

   Answer: Sugarcane

   Explanation: Sugarcane requires large quantities of water.

8. Millets are important because they are:

   Answer: Drought-resistant

   Explanation: Millets require less water and are climate-resilient.