Agriculture and Food Management: Sector of the Future | Economic Survey & Government Reports - UPSC PDF Download

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Agriculture and Food Management
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These states have diversified towards crops where yield is high. For example, Andhra 
Pradesh diversified towards jowar, Madhya Pradesh towards moong and Tamil Nadu 
towards maize. Even so, there is significant potential to enhance productivity and 
reduce the yield gap compared to the global average. 
9.8 As we look to the future, it's important to consider how changing dietary 
preferences, driven by rising incomes, will influence the agricultural sector's growth 
trajectory. The increasing consumption of non-food grains, particularly horticultural 
products, livestock, and fisheries, will be significant. Given the perishable nature 
of these high-value commodities, effective post-harvest management and robust 
marketing infrastructure are essential. This endeavour should be supported by the 
active involvement of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and Self-
Help Groups (SHGs). Furthermore, substantial investment from the private sector 
would also be vital to aid small-scale farmers.
BOX IX.2 : Transforming Rural Economies: The Rise of Horticulture
India’s horticulture sector is more productive and profitable than traditional agriculture, 
emerging as a fast-growing industry. This can be seen from the fact that India is also a 
leading exporter, shipping 343,982.34 MT of fresh grapes worth ?3,460.70 crore (USD 
417.07 million) globally in 2023-24
10
. Key grape-growing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, 
Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram. Maharashtra leads in production, contributing over 67 per cent 
of total output with the highest productivity in 2023-24
11
. Grape cultivation has significantly 
improved the livelihoods of Nashik farmers where export-quality grapes fetch higher prices 
(?65-70/kg) than domestic markets. This economic upliftment has attracted rural youth 
to grape farming. Farmers have adopted advanced technologies like real-time monitoring 
systems to ensure optimal grape quality.  The Nashik grape story shows how export-oriented 
agriculture, technology, and collective efforts can transform a region's socio-economic 
conditions.
9.9 The government is implementing a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing 
agricultural productivity and increasing farmers' incomes, in alignment with the 
recommendations put forth in the Doubling Farmers' Income (DFI) Report  2016. This 
report highlighted essential strategies for improving crop and livestock productivity, 
boosting cropping intensity, and diversifying into high-value crops. Committed to 
promoting greater input efficiency and adopting sustainable production practices, 
the government is pursuing initiatives such as Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) and 
various actions under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). These 
measures include using alternative and organic fertilisers to enhance productivity 
and sustainability. Furthermore, digital initiatives like the Digital Agriculture Mission 
and the e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) have been launched to encourage 
the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies and improve price discovery 
mechanisms. Additionally, the government provides income support to farmers 
through assured remunerative prices for their produce, alongside programs such as the 
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
10   https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/six_head_product/Fresh_Fruits_Vegetables.htm
11 Ibid.