Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy, employing nearly half of the workforce and contributing 18% to the GDP. Despite significant achievements in crop production, such as leading global outputs in paddy, wheat, and sugarcane, disparities remain, especially in resource-constrained regions. Crops like maize, soya bean, and cotton have seen stagnation or decline in productivity, highlighting the need for a systemic transformation in agricultural research and extension systems. This transformation is critical for sustaining self-sufficiency, enhancing economic viability, and addressing regional inequalities while leveraging export potential.
The shift from a production-centric to a demand-responsive agri-food ecosystem is essential. This transition must emphasize sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. To align with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat 2047,” agricultural research must tap into India’s agricultural diversity and learn from global best practices.
India’s agriculture faces structural challenges, including fragmented landholdings, unsustainable resource use, and environmental degradation. Approximately 85% of landowners are smallholders, yet their contribution to agricultural output is only 20%, primarily due to limited access to technology, finance, and knowledge. One of the sector’s most pressing issues is the over-extraction of groundwater, particularly in states like Punjab and Haryana, where large portions of land are classified as over-exploited. Additionally, soil degradation, which affects 30% of India’s arable land, threatens agricultural productivity through erosion, salinization, and fertility loss. The impact of climate change further exacerbates these vulnerabilities, with projections indicating that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall could reduce crop yields by 10-20% by 2050.
While India has made significant strides in production, the gains from the Green Revolution are plateauing. To address this, agricultural research must adopt adaptive and market-responsive strategies. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) must tackle operational inefficiencies and strengthen coordination to meet emerging demands. To rejuvenate India’s agricultural research system, several reforms are necessary:
- Boosting Investment and Aligning Research with Regional Diversity: India currently invests only 0.4% of its GDP in agricultural research, which lags behind countries like China and the Netherlands, where investment is 1-2%. Substantial funding increases are essential to build cutting-edge infrastructure and foster innovation. Public-private partnerships can mobilize resources effectively, with incentives for private sector participation through tax benefits. Research should leverage tools like remote sensing, soil fertility mapping, and geospatial technologies to address India’s diverse agro-ecological conditions.
- Collaboration and Capacity Building: Effective agricultural research requires collaboration among universities, private enterprises, farmers, and agricultural institutions. Multidisciplinary teams focused on regional challenges can drive productivity improvements, as seen in South Korea’s precision agriculture initiatives. Capacity-building programs should focus on training researchers, extension workers, and farmers in advanced practices tailored to local contexts. Lessons from Israel and Taiwan demonstrate the transformative potential of modern agricultural technologies and robust extension systems.
- Harnessing Technology: Technological integration offers immense potential to transform agriculture. Tools like drones, data analytics, and biotechnology can improve resource efficiency, develop climate-resilient crops, and enhance productivity. Targeted funding and supportive policies are crucial to scaling these innovations across India’s diverse agricultural landscape.
- Strengthening Extension Services: Reforming Krishi Vigyan Kendras into “one-stop solution models” and integrating them with state agriculture departments can bridge the research-to-farm gap effectively. Digital platforms like eNAM (National Agriculture Market) and mobile advisory apps can further enhance accessibility to information. Successful models like Andhra Pradesh’s Rythu Bharosa Kendra and Karnataka’s Raitha Sampark Kendras should be replicated across other states.
- Sustainability and Governance: Agricultural research must prioritize sustainable practices, such as organic farming, integrated pest management, and conservation agriculture, to reduce input dependency and improve ecological balance. Experiences from countries like Sweden and China underscore the benefits of these practices in enhancing soil health and resource efficiency. Additionally, governance reforms within ICAR are necessary to empower scientists, streamline administrative processes, and introduce robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
Revitalizing India’s agricultural research system requires a collaborative effort from government agencies, research institutions, private enterprises, and farmers. Through these reforms, India can create a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven agricultural ecosystem that aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
