Agriculture And Rural Development Roadmap For Viksit Bharat

Source: PIB
GS III: Agriculture

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Develpment oragnized a program at Pusa, New Delhi, to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ vision into action.

News in Brief

• ‘Agriculture and food processing have been identified as key pillars of the roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047, with emphasis on higher production, quality, food processing and global markets.
• The government stressed strengthening the agricultural value chain through processing, packaging, branding, exports and market intelligence to raise farmers’ incomes.
• Separate agricultural roadmaps for states and districts will account for local climate, soil, water availability, cropping patterns and market demand, supported by technology, AI and modern agricultural practices.
• The program brought together farmers, scientists, officials, Lakhpati Didis, food processors, exporters and FPOs representatives.

Key Highlights

Farm-to-Global Market Approach

• Emphasized shifting from merely increasing production towards quality, safety, value addition and global competitiveness.
• Strengthen the agricultural value chain through:
  • Food processing
  • Packaging
  • Branding
  • Export promotion
  • Market intelligence
  • Technical guidance
• The demand for products produced through natural farming, organic farming and chemical-free farming is increasing in India and across the world.

State and District-Level Agricultural Planning

• The Government advocates decentralised agricultural roadmaps because agricultural conditions differ across regions.
• Planning should consider,
  • Climate
  • Soil conditions
  • Water availability
  • Cropping patterns
  • Scientific assessment of demand for different crops in Domestic and international markets
  • Local processing and marketing opportunities
• Greater use of technology, mechanisation, artificial intelligence, improved seeds and modern agricultural practices can help increase both production and productivity.
• Institutions such as DARE, ICAR and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are expected to facilitate technology transfer to farmers.

Increasing Productivity While Reducing Costs

• The four major agricultural priorities identified are:

Higher production + Lower costs + Better quality + Remunerative prices

• Other focus areas include:
  • Natural and organic farming
  • Irrigation
  • Water conservation
  • Crop diversification
  • Integrated farming systems
  • Agriculture-based supplementary income
  • Timely information on weather, markets and production.

Lakhpati Didi and Rural Women’s Empowerment

• The target of making three crore rural women Lakhpati Didis has been achieved.
• New target has been set for creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.
• Women associated with Self-Help Groups are being provided opportunities for skill development, financial assistance, market access and entrepreneurship.
• Initiatives such as ‘She-Marts’ and branding will be promoted to provide better market access to products made by rural women.
• Efforts will be made to take handicrafts, food products, Ayurvedic products, traditional goods and other products prepared by rural women to markets across India and abroad.

Developed Villages as the Foundation of Viksit Bharat

• The Government stresses that Viksit Bharat requires developed villages.
• Rural areas are witnessing efforts to accelerate the development of pucca houses, roads, water conservation, employment, livelihoods, women’s empowerment and agriculture-based activities.
• Emphasized field-level monitoring so that official data reflects actual conditions of beneficiaries and villages.
• It will ensure better alignment between departmental data and ground realities.
• Emphasized expediting the implementation of programmes related to water security, river rejuvenation, conservation of land resources and rural livelihoods.

Technology-Driven Agriculture

• The roadmap emphasises:
  • Agricultural research
  • Modern agricultural practices
  • Mechanisation
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Improved seeds
  • Scientific crop planning
  • Demand-based production
• The role of ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, State Governments and research institutions is important in transferring innovations to farmers.

Convergence and Stakeholder Partnership

• The programme adopts a whole-of-ecosystem approach.
• Farmers, scientists, officials, employees, processors, exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations and Self-Help Groups are all integral parts of Agriculture and rural development.
• The objective is to strengthen the entire farm-to-market value chain, improve farmer incomes and provide quality products to consumers.

Four Mantras for Effective Governance

The Minister highlighted four principles,

• Regular field visits and ground-level monitoring.
• Cordial behaviour and teamwork.
• Passion and determination.
• Patience, composure and balance.

Significance and Challenges

• Higher farm incomes- Value addition, processing and exports can raise farmer returns.
• Diversification- Demand-based crop planning can promote crop diversification.
• Rural jobs- Food processing and rural enterprises can create non-farm employment.
• Women-led growth- Lakhpati Didis can strengthen household and rural incomes.
• Export competitiveness- Better quality, branding and standards can boost agricultural exports.
• Sustainability- Natural farming, water conservation and integrated farming support resource conservation.
• Value-chain integration- Linking farmers, FPOs, SHGs, research institutions and markets can improve efficiency.

Challenges

• Small holdings may constrain mechanisation and technology adoption.
• Inadequate storage, processing and cold-chain infrastructure.
• Difficulty in meeting global quality and certification standards.
• Limited market information among farmers.
• Climate variability affecting regional planning.
• Weak last-mile implementation and monitoring.
• Rural women need sustained access to finance, skills and markets.

Conclusion

India’s path towards Viksit Bharat requires an integrated approach that combines productive agriculture, value addition, rural entrepreneurship and women-led development.

Strengthening farm-to-market linkages, technology, FPOs,  and grassroots implementation can make rural development more inclusive, sustainable and income-oriented.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the agriculture and rural development roadmap highlighted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:

1. The government has proposed separate agricultural roadmaps for states and districts based on local conditions.
2. The target of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis has been achieved.
3. The new target is to create six crore Lakhpati Didis.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Mains Practice Question 

Q. India’s agricultural transformation requires a shift from production-centric agriculture to a value-chain and market -oriented approach  Discuss the role of  food processing, FPOs, technology and women-led rural enterprises in achieving this transition. (250 Words)

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