Rural Pulse
Issue - VI, November - December 2014
NABARD
Department of Economic Analysis and Research
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prices to farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, is
necessary for achieving higher agricultural production and
productivity. Further, as hybrid seeds in cross pollinated
crops give higher yield, greater emphasis needs to be
given to hybrid seeds to improve crop productivity. Priority
should be given for seed production so that adequate
supply of seeds of relevant major crops and fodder is
available at reasonable prices and at the right time. This is
necessary to improve seed replacement rates, which help
reduce yield gaps.
• Integrated Nutrient Management
The all-India average consumption of fertilizers has
increased from 105.5 kg per ha in 2005-06 to 144 kg per
ha in 2011-12 (State of Indian Agriculture 2012-13). It is
observed that while consumption of urea has increased
from 16.6 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 17.3 million tonnes
in 2011-12, consumption of both phosphatic and potassic
fertilizers have declined during 2011-12 over the previous
year (ibid.). The obvious reason for the high uses of urea
and lower uses of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers are
the relative prices of these fertilizers. This has led to an
imbalance in the NPK ratio and a decline in the marginal
response of agricultural productivity to additional usage
of fertilizer in the country. An imbalanced use of fertilizers
is one of the reasons for a decline in the crop response
ratio. This calls for promoting soil test based balanced and
judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with
organic sources of nutrients to sustain and improve soil
health and its productivity. Further, intensive agriculture
is experiencing widespread deficiency of micronutrients.
There is, therefore, a greater need for timely supply
of micronutrients to the farmers, which could lead to a
significant increase in crop yield.
• Innovative Technology and Farm Practices
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan
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had emphasized the need for
developing technology and public policy for an evergreen
revolution designed to improve the productivity of crops in
perpetuity without associated ecological harm. According
to him “evergreen revolution is based on an appropriate
blend of different approaches to sustainable agriculture
such as organic farming, green agriculture, eco-agriculture
and agriculture based on effective micro-organisms.” He
advocated that biotechnology could play an important role
in the following six major components of integrated natural
resources management and precision farming for an
evergreen revolution: (a) integrated gene management; (b)
efficient water management; (c) integrated nutrient supply;
(d) soil health care; (e) integrated pest management; and
(f) efficient post-harvest management. Eco technology-
based precision farming, if adopted by small and marginal
farmers can help cut costs, enhance marketable surplus
and eliminate ecological risks.
• Irrigation
There are three ways in which irrigation impacts
agricultural production, viz. it increases cropping intensity;
brings about changes in crop patterns; and in combination
with improved varieties and more intensive fertilizer use,
increases individual crop yields. The ultimate irrigation
potential in India is estimated at about 140 million hectares.
The widening gap (about 15 per cent) between irrigation
potential created and that being utilized is a matter of
concern. Micro-irrigation, minor irrigation, rainwater
harvesting and groundwater recharging are vital in utilising
the existing resources and expanding the irrigation system
in a viable manner.
• Crop Diversification
Studies have shown that smallholders are likely to benefit
more from technological change and diversification
towards higher-value crops than from other drivers of
growth. Hence, diversification-led growth is expected to
benefit small and marginal farmers and enable them to
escape poverty.
• Research and Development
According to Swaminathan (2010) the research strategy
should be pro-nature and pro-small farmer oriented. As 80
per cent of the seeds used in agriculture come from farmer
seed systems, these will have to be strengthened and
supported through infrastructure for community managed
seed villages and seed technology training centres. There
is a need to refocus Research and Development agenda
Table – 3 (b)
Average monthly income from different sources, consumption expenditure and net investment in productive assets per agricultural household during
July 2012- June 2013 for each size class of land possessed
(Amount in
`
)
Size class of land
possessed (ha.)
Total income
Total consumpt ion
expenditure
Net income
Net investment in
productive assets
Estimated no. of agri.
households (00)
<0.01
4561
5108
-547
55
23857
0.01 - 0.40
4152
5401
-1249
251
287381
0.41 - 1.00
5247
6020
-773
540
315008
1.01 - 2.00
7348
6457
891
422
154810
2.01 - 4.00
10730
7786
2944
746
83964
4.01 - 10.00
19637
10104
9533
1975
33519
10.00+
41388
14447
26941
6987
3499
All size
6426
6223
203
513
902039
Source: Key Indicators of Situation of Agricultural Households in India, NSS 70th Round (January – December 2013), NSSO, December 2014
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Swaminathan, M.S. (2010), From Green to Evergreen Revolution- Indian Agriculture: Performance and Challenges, Academic Foundation, New Delhi
