Introduction
Agriculture refers to crop and livestock production along with aquaculture, fisheries, and forest products (food and non-food items). It is one of the most flourished sectors of India and ranks second on the global page among all the nations and serves as a livelihood for 55% of the country’s population. The agricultural sector in India is expected to pick up its pace and reach a higher momentum with the government and various private sectors investing in the agricultural infrastructure and chalking out betterment plans.
The production of plant and animal products including food in a way that uses advanced and traditional farming techniques by keeping the conservation of the environment, animal welfare, and public health in mind.
Agriculture 4.0 was launched as it is considered to be a better and more advanced version of farmer precision methods. Precision farming refers to the production of qualitative and quantitative crops keeping the soil and the environment in check.
Current Status of the Indian Agricultural Industry
With around 54.6% of the nation’s economy held by the agriculture sector, the agricultural industry in India reached an INR of 71,220 billion in 2021 with IMARC groups expecting it to rise to Rs.1,42,280 billion by 2027. This can only be attained by improving and investing correctly for the betterment of the industry. As we know that the growth rate of any sector in India is determined by the growth or inflation in population which further affects both rural and urban income levels thus creating a greater need for agricultural products across the country. The increasing inclusion of advanced techniques and methods like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), geographic information systems (GIS), drones, and remote sensing technologies, robotics, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, along with the launching of several e-farming applications, is helping to boost the industry.
Some of the leading players operating in the industry are E.I. DuPont India Private Ltd., Rallis India Ltd., Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd., Godrej Agrovet Ltd., Nestle India Ltd., Advanta India Limited, Monsanto Company, Parle Products Private Limited, Britannia Industries Ltd., etc.
Measures are taken to strengthen sustainable agriculture
A sustainable agricultural system does not demand the use of harmful chemicals or fossil fuels, instead promotes the conservation of energy and water along with emphasizing local production that can eventually help the personal economy of people along with uplifting the national economy.
Certain principles are needed to be followed to make agriculture truly sustainable-
• People’s needs- to provide the farmers and their families employment and livelihood and all the population of the nation with a surplus amount of food in an affordable price range.
• Profit- If the outcome of the money invested is not profitable then the business is going to be shut down automatically so the steps taken must be profitable.
• Planet and environment- Sustainable itself means to hold on a consistent and stable rate or level and to be thoughtful towards our ecology is one of the most important
reasons behind initiating the idea of sustainable agriculture.
Technologies that Boost Sustainable Agriculture in India
From Blockchain to Geographic Information Systems, technology has been helping to address every challenge faced by farmers in the sector of agriculture. These technologies help farmers to visualize and assess crop and soil health at every stage of farming in an affordable and easily accessible way.
The AI systems can generate real-time actionable insights to improve crop yield, soil fertility, and production.
Blockchain technology provides accurate and precise data on farms, food supply chains, and inventories. It frees the farmers from depending on hard copies for the records of data.
Low-cost technology and portable hardware, both make it easier for farmers to produce a greater crop yield yet in a very easily attainable way. A multi-stakeholder approach towards the cause of implementing technology that can cater to millions of farmers in a country is key to adopting a successful sustainable agriculture sector.
