Introduction

Agriculture, often described as the backbone of the Indian economy, has sustained the nation for centuries. It is not just an economic activity but a way of life for nearly half of India’s population. However, the paradox of Indian agriculture is stark: while it engages the largest workforce, its contribution to GDP is disproportionately low. More critically, farming has lost the ability to provide subsistence to a majority of small and marginal farmers. Despite technological advancements, policy interventions, and the Green Revolution, rural distress, farmer suicides, and fragmented landholdings reveal deep systemic flaws.

Understanding the Problem: Why Farming Fails to Sustain Farmers

Farming, traditionally seen as a subsistence activity in India, is now associated with poverty and distress for a large section of farmers. The reasons for this shift include systemic, economic, environmental, and social challenges:

1.Fragmented Landholdings: With a growing population and generational division of land, farms have become smaller and uneconomical. According to the Agricultural Census 2015-16, 86% of farmers in India are small and marginal, owning less than 2 hectares of land. Such small holdings are inadequate to produce enough to meet a family's basic needs.

2.Low Productivity and Yield

India’s agricultural productivity remains lower than global standards. Factors such as inadequate irrigation, reliance on traditional methods, soil degradation, and lack of access to quality seeds and fertilizers contribute to low yields.