Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and employs over 50% of the country’s population. The sector plays a crucial role in the country’s growth and development and is responsible for feeding over 1.3 billion people. Despite being a top exporter of agricultural products, Indian farmers are struggling to make ends meet. Know the reasons behind this paradoxical situation as :

1. Low Productivity and Yield – Indian farmers face low productivity and yield due to the use of outdated farming techniques, lack of access to modern technology, and inadequate irrigation facilities. The yield per hectare in India is lower than that of many other countries. This leads to low income for farmers, making it difficult for them to make a living.
2. Dependence on Monsoons – India is a country with a predominantly agricultural economy, and it depends heavily on monsoons for irrigation. Inadequate and erratic rainfall leads to crop failures, which affects the income of farmers. The dependence on rain also leads to a lack of crop diversification and, therefore, risk management.
3. Low Market Price – Indian farmers are often at the mercy of middlemen who dictate the market price. The prices they receive for their products are often lower than the market prices, which leads to losses for the farmers. Farmers are also not able to store their produce properly, leading to spoilage and wastage.
4. Lack of Government Support – The government of India has not been able to provide adequate support to farmers in terms of credit, subsidies, and insurance. Farmers do not have access to credit at affordable rates, and the process of availing loans is cumbersome. The insurance scheme for farmers is also not comprehensive and does not cover all crops. Subsidies are also not reaching the intended beneficiaries due to corruption and inefficiencies in the system.
5. Fragmented Landholdings – Landholdings in India are fragmented, leading to small landholdings that are not viable for commercial farming. This leads to low productivity and yield, making it difficult for farmers to make a living. The lack of consolidation of landholdings also makes it difficult to introduce modern technology and irrigation facilities.

Indian farmers are struggling despite being top exporters of agricultural products due to low productivity and yield, dependence on monsoons, low market prices, lack of government support, and fragmented landholdings. The government needs to address these issues and provide farmers with adequate support to improve their standard of living. The use of modern technology and irrigation facilities, crop diversification, and consolidation of landholdings can also go a long way in improving the income of farmers.