One year of Modi government: Monsoon could keep relief out of farm's way

One year may not be enough to judge a government's performance in a sector like agriculture which had been neglected for years despite being the prime source of income for almost half of the country's population. Steps taken in last 12 months have raised hopes for the sector.

Be it strengthening or creating irrigation networks, distribution of soil health cards for nutrient-based decisions to increase productivity, bringing an income-linked farm insurance scheme or a plan for a barrier-free National Agriculture Market, these measures will show results in the next couple of years.

This will happen if the country doesn't encounter weather-linked roadblocks. Last year's deficit monsoon was the first big challenge before the new government.

The Centre had taken contingency measures and reduced the impact of low rainfall on summer crops. Consequently, India recorded only 3% deficit in foodgrain production despite 12% deficit rainfall.

Unseasonal rain in March damaged winter crops (Rabi) on 189.81 lakh hectares and presented another challenge.

It didn't end there.

When the government is trying to reduce the impact of natural disasters on farmers, raising compensation, restructuring loans and speedy disbursal of insurance, it's now landed at the doorsteps of a third similar challenge. The weatherman has predicted 'below normal' rainfall this monsoon as well.

The Centre may be able to deal with it again through contingency measures such as a diesel subsidy, making seeds available at subsidized rates and sharing useful generic information with tillers about rainfall distribution and crop choice. But, the question arises, will the farm sector which provides direct and indirect jobs to the majority of the workforce run on ad-hoc measures and through firefighting operations?

Will India be able to deal with weather-linked crises taking long-term measures?

Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh told TOI his government was committed to bringing structural changes in agriculture and allied sectors that have faced decades of neglect. "We've initiated measures that are at different stages of implementation. Their impact may not be felt immediately but the results of these actions would be far-reaching in terms of increasing productivity and improving the lot of farmers," he said.

Agriculture and allied sectors account for 17.2% of GDP and 14% of overall exports. Yet, nearly half the total agricultural land (181.98 million hectares) doesn't have any irrigation, leaving farmers at the mercy of rains. Since 85% of farmers have less than two hectares of the land each with no other source of livelihood, adverse weather conditions make the situation worse.

There are issues that depend on policy intervention at central and state levels.These include finalizing minimum support price (MSP) for major foodgrain based on input-output pricing and the cost-risk-return structure, timely procurement of farmers' produce and export-import regulations that play a critical role in deciding the farmers' income.

Singh, however, said, "Since agriculture is a state subject, success of these schemes will depend on sincerity of states. The Centre has formulated many schemes and released funds to states for implementation."