farmers spearhead India's predicted economic growth to 2047, according to Ramdas Athawale's assertion
India Embraces Sustainable Agriculture for Economic Growth and Farmer Welfare
Sustainable agriculture is playing a pivotal role in India's economic growth and farmer welfare, promoting climate-resilient, inclusive, and environmentally balanced farming practices. This shift aims to enhance rural prosperity, strengthen national stability, and increase global competitiveness.
The agriculture sector, employing approximately 40% of the population, is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Sustainable practices improve productivity, reduce environmental degradation, and increase farmer incomes, aligning with India's vision to become the world's largest economy by 2047.
Key benefits of sustainable agriculture include:
- Enhancing Farmer Income: Modernized Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies, direct income support schemes, and smarter crop insurance mechanisms help reduce financial risks for farmers.
- Building Climate Resilience: Sustainable resource management like soil health improvement, water-efficient irrigation, and reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint helps ensure long-term viability amid climate challenges.
- Promoting Rural Prosperity: Sustainable agriculture supports rural employment, economic resilience, and prevents distress migration by stabilizing farm incomes and improving resource use.
- Encouraging Technological Integration: Digital tools, satellite monitoring, AI, and better market linkages boost transparency, efficiency, and farmer access to markets.
- Facilitating Environmental Balance: Practices that conserve natural resources reduce soil degradation and pollution, fostering ecological sustainability alongside growth.
Several government initiatives and policies actively support this sustainable agriculture approach in India. Notable examples include:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Direct income support to farmers combined with credit linkages.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Credit Card (PM-KCC): Offers flexible, low-interest loans with digital access facilitating investment in sustainable practices.
- NABARD refinance and interest subvention schemes: Promote affordable credit for sustainable agriculture through rural banks and cooperatives.
- Green financing initiatives: Include incentives for carbon credits, resource conservation financing, and environmental compliance linked to funding.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Bundled crop insurance schemes protect against climatic and market risks.
- Market reforms: Unified national agriculture market, contract farming, and better direct producer-buyer linkages enhance market access and price realization for farmers.
- Support for small and marginal farmers: Through land pooling, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and technological extension tailored for diverse farmer needs.
Recently, the 2nd Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards 2025 recognised exemplary work in this field, honoring bureaucrats like Hari Chandana, IAS District Collector of Hyderabad, Deepshikha, IAS Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur, Punjab, and Himanshu Nagpal, IAS Chief Development Officer of Varanasi, among others. These honourees are central to introducing innovations that address climate and resource challenges while diversifying farm incomes.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale asserted that India's growth story should be rooted in the progress of farmers and sustainable agriculture. As the sector continues to evolve, initiatives like these will be crucial in transforming Indian agriculture from subsistence to a resilient economic pillar, securing farmer welfare and contributing significantly to India’s long-term inclusive growth and global competitiveness.
- The modernized Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies, direct income support schemes, and smarter crop insurance mechanisms in India's sustainable agriculture approach aim to financially support farmers and strengthen the business of agriculture.
- To facilitate environmental balance and boost global competitiveness, Indian government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), market reforms, and support for small and marginal farmers encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies in the business sector, thus promoting climate-resilient farming practices.
