Essay on Indian Farmer | Essays for Class 7 PDF Download

India is a developing country with an agrarian economy, with 70% of the population residing in villages. According to the World Bank data, 42% of the Indian workforce engages in agriculture. An economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture, farmers have a critical task to carry out. Farmers ensure that food production does not become stagnant in India and food availability for all.

India was initially dependent on the United States for food grains and would import it from abroad up. Importing became costly for India as more money drained from the country, and the United States increased the tariffs. India had no other option but to become self-sufficient and carry out food production at home. During Lal Bahadur Shastri’s reign as prime minister, the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ became popular. The green revolution in 1965 kick-started self – sufficiency in India, and surplus increased. The green revolution helped the Indian Farmer as it brought about modern methods that helped increase productivity. Today, India is producing its food grains due to the contributions of farmers. Due to their hard work, India is a major exporter of rice, sugar, cotton, etc. making the country the 7th largest exporter in agriculture. They provide food for a population of more than a billion as well as foodgrains for other countries dependent on us.
However, farmers face many hardships. Many farmers get caught in a debt trap and face the brunt of moneylenders. Due to high-interest rates, the farmers use the profit that they get to pay off the debt and have very little money for their families. The land is not readily available; many times, there are land disputes, and the rent is expensive. Farmers suffer the most during droughts as there is not enough water available for the crops. Climate change also affects crop production. During periods of failed monsoons, many do not have proper irrigation facilities. Fertilizers and pesticides are not cheap. Many farmers are illiterate and do not know how to use technology. With the increasing rate in farmers’ suicide, addressing their issues is the need of the hour.
Eradication of corruption in agriculture and making loans readily available and at cheaper interest rates will help to mitigate their problems, and they can afford to buy fertilizers and pesticides. When crop production fails, they must receive some compensation so that they do not face poverty. The government has established a helpline to help farmers. Insurance is another way to help the Indian Farmer.

The government launched schemes to help farmers in India. Some of these include:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
•  Soil Health Card Scheme
•  National Mission For Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Farmers play a crucial role in agricultural production. They face many problems, and agriculture itself is a challenging and tricky occupation. The entire country depends on farmers and thus necessary to resolve their issues, help them become prosperous, have a better quality of life, and a higher standard of living.