Agri needs 're-orientation' to combat climate change: Eco Survey

Indian agriculture needs “re-orientation” to combat adverse impacts of climate change, fragmented landholdings, sub-optimal farm mechanisation, low productivity, disguised unemployment and rising input costs, the Economic Survey 2023 said.

“We need to move to crops that have shorter growth periods so that we can take care of the challenges of climate change. Also need to have crops that are more suited in the context of changing weather conditions. This is an emerging challenge and we saw that (a heat wave) happen in 2022 as well,” Chandni Raina, adviser to the Department of Economic Affairs, said in a media interaction.

The survey suggested a greater focus on the development of the food processing sector with improved infrastructure, like cold storage and better logistics, to reduce wastage, improve value addition, ensure better farmers’ returns, promote employment and increase export earnings.

It made a strong case for increasing farm mechanisation as it helps raise productivity via timely and efficient use of other inputs and natural resources while reducing the cost of cultivation. According to the survey, the agriculture sector has grown at an average annual rate of 4.6% in the last six years. It grew 3.0% in 2021-22, compared with 3.3% the previous fiscal year.