What are the Causes of Backwardness of Agriculture in India?

Small Size of Holdings: The agricultural productivity is low due to small size of holdings. ...

Vicious Circle of Poverty: ...

Indebtedness: ...

Inadequate Irrigation Facilities: ...

Lack of Adequate Finance: ...

No Scientific Methods of Cultivation: ...

Lack of Marketing Facilities: ...

Agricultural Research:

1. Lack of modern technology: Indian agriculture still heavily relies on traditional farming methods, which are inefficient and yield lower productivity compared to countries with advanced technology in agriculture.

2. Small landholdings: The majority of Indian farmers own small landholdings, which limits their ability to invest in modern equipment and technology. This leads to low economies of scale and lower agricultural productivity.

3. Dependence on monsoon rains: Indian agriculture is highly dependent on monsoon rains for irrigation. Erratic rainfall patterns and droughts can lead to crop failures and lower agricultural output.

4. Inadequate infrastructure: The lack of proper storage facilities, transportation networks, and market access results in significant post-harvest losses and lower profitability for farmers. This hampers the growth of the agricultural sector.

5. Lack of access to credit and insurance: Many Indian farmers have limited access to formal credit and insurance services. This prevents them from investing in better farming techniques, purchasing modern equipment, and mitigating risks associated with crop failures.

6. Fragmented markets and middlemen: The presence of multiple intermediaries between farmers and consumers leads to a higher cost of marketing and reduces the income of farmers. This also limits the ability of farmers to directly connect with buyers and negotiate better prices.

7. Inefficient supply chains: The lack of efficient supply chains and cold storage facilities leads to significant post-harvest losses. This not only affects the income of farmers but also contributes to food wastage and inflation.

8. Inadequate research and development: Insufficient investment in agricultural research and development hinders the development of new and improved crop varieties, pest management techniques, and farming practices. This limits the adoption of innovative technologies in Indian agriculture.

9. Lack of farmer education and training: Many Indian farmers have limited access to formal education and training programs. This restricts their knowledge and understanding of modern farming techniques, resulting in lower agricultural productivity.

10. Poor implementation of government policies: Despite the existence of various government schemes and policies aimed at improving agriculture, there are often challenges in their effective implementation. This leads to limited benefits reaching the farmers and hinders the overall progress of the agricultural sector.