State the technical reforms made in agrarian field. In Detail.
Answers
Answer: The technological and institutional reforms made in the field of agriculture are : (a) Land reforms : Collectivization, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari. (b) Agricultural reforms : Green Revolution and White Revolution.
Technological and Institutional Reforms:
Agrioculture has been practised in India for thousands of years. Sustained uses of land without compatible
techno-institutional changes have hindered the pace of agricultural development.
Agriculture provides a livelihood for more than 60% population in India.
The Government of India initiated technological and institutional reforms to ensure the increase
in agricultural production. They are
Technological Reforms :
1. The Green Revolution based on the use of package technology and the White Revolution
(Operation flood) were some of the strategies initiated to improve Indian agriculture.
2. Introduction of High Yielding Varieties of seeds, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides.
3. Development of surface and ground water irrigation and rural electrification.
4. Introduction of modern farming tools and equipments like power tiller, tractor, harvestor etc.
5. Special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes for farmers were introduced on radio and
television to acquiant farmers with modern farming techniques.
6. In the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was initiated, which
includes both institutional and technological reforms.
Institutional Reforms
1. Collectivisation,consolidation of land holdings, cooperation etc. were given priority
by the government after independence.
2. Abolition of zamindari system and land reforms was the main focus of our first five-year plan.
3. Establishment of Grameen Banks, cooperative societies and banks for providing loan facilities
to the farmers at lower rates of interest.
4. Provision for crop insurance against drought, flood, cyclone, fire and disease.
5. The government also announces minimum support price(MSP) and remunerative and procurement
prices for important crops to check the exploitation of farmers by speculators and middlemen.
6. Kissan credit cards and personal accident insurance schemes introduced.
Green Revolution: It refers to increase in crop production. It is based on package technology
which include
i) Use of HYV seeds,
ii) Use of chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides,
iii) Development of surface and ground water irrigation,
iv) Farm mechnisation,
v) Rural electrification, development of rural roads, and storage facilities for crops.
White Revolution: It refers to increase in milk production in the country. It is also called Operation
Flood. This has been achieved by
i) introducing better breeds Of cattle,
ii) providing them nutritious food,
iii) controlling their diseases etc.
Contribution of agriculture to the national economy, employment and output:
Agriculture has been the backbone of the Indian economy though its share in the Gross Domestic Product has
registered a declining trend from 1951 onwards.
1. Share in employment: Agriculture is the largest employment providing sector in India.
About 52%(2010-11)of the total work force was employed by the farm sector.
2. Share in GDP: The share of agriclture in the Gross Domestic Products is only 1.1% (2015-16).
3. Source of raw materials: Agriculture provides raw materials to a large number of agro-based
industries in India.
4. Food security: Agriculture ensures food security to people in India.
5. Sorce of foreign exchange: Agriculture is one of the most important sources of foreign
exchange in India. India earns a lot of foreign exchange by exporting agro-products.
Steps taken by the Government to modernise agriculture:
The government of India made concerted efforts to modernise agriculture.
1. Establishment of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
2. Establishment of Agricultural Universities
3. Providing veterinary services and animal breeding centers.
4. Horticulture development.
5. Research and development in the field of meteorology and weather forecast.
Problems faced by farmers in India: Today Indian farmers are facing a big challenge from
international competition because of the following reasons:
a) Reduction in public investment in agriculture.
b) Subsidy on fertilisers is deceased leading to increase in the cost of production.
c) Reduction in import duties on agricultural products.
d) Crop failure due natural hazards like flood, drought, peste attack, cyclone, hail storm etc.
Thus, the growth rate in agricultural sector is decelerating in India and the farmers in India are
withdrawing their investment from agriculture causing a downfall inthe employment in agriculture.
(i) Land reforms: collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of zamindari. (ii) Agricultural reforms: Green revolution and White revolution