Introduction Food security is a critical issue for India, a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, where a significant proportion lives below the poverty line. Ensuring access to affordable food for all sections of society has been a longstanding policy challenge. To address this, India established the Public Distribution System (PDS), a government-run network…
Introduction Agriculture has always been the backbone of India’s economy, supporting the livelihood of nearly half of the population. Over the decades, India has witnessed several agricultural revolutions such as the Green Revolution (cereals), White Revolution (milk), Blue Revolution (fisheries), Yellow Revolution (oilseeds), and others. Collectively, these diverse sectoral transformations in agriculture and allied activities…
Introduction Water is the lifeline of agriculture, and efficient irrigation is crucial for enhancing crop productivity, farmer income, and food security. India, with its vast agricultural landscape, is heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, which is often erratic and unevenly distributed. To address water scarcity, optimize irrigation, and ensure sustainable agricultural growth, the Government of India…
Introduction Irrigation is a cornerstone of India’s agricultural development and food security. Efficient irrigation infrastructure ensures timely water availability, improved crop yields, and enhanced rural livelihoods. Despite India having a large network of canals, reservoirs, and tanks, many irrigation projects were slow to complete due to resource constraints, delays in funding, and technical challenges. To…
Introduction Water is one of the most critical resources for agriculture, and India, being heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, faces significant challenges in efficient water management. A large proportion of India’s cultivated land suffers from water scarcity, over-extraction of groundwater, and inefficient irrigation practices. To address these issues, the Government of India launched the National…
Introduction Agriculture in India is heavily dependent on rainfall, with nearly 60% of cultivated land classified as rainfed areas. These regions often face erratic rainfall, poor soil fertility, low productivity, and higher vulnerability to climate shocks. Farmers in rainfed areas encounter income insecurity, crop failure, indebtedness, and rural distress, which affect livelihoods and the overall…
Introduction India’s agriculture and rural economy heavily depend on water availability and watershed management, especially in rainfed regions, which constitute nearly 60% of cultivated land. Inadequate water management leads to soil erosion, low productivity, and rural distress. To address these challenges, the Government of India launched the Neeranchal Watershed Management Programme (NWMP) in 2018 as…
Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing nearly 50% of the population and contributing significantly to GDP and rural livelihoods. Despite its importance, Indian farmers have long faced challenges such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, market volatility, debt burden, and climate-related risks. To address these issues, the Government of India established the…
Introduction Agriculture continues to be the backbone of India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and food security. Recognizing the need for accelerated agricultural growth, the Government of India launched the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in 2007–08. This scheme is a centrally sponsored program aimed at enhancing investment in agriculture and allied sectors, promoting…
Introduction The North Eastern (NE) and Himalayan regions of India are endowed with unique agro-climatic conditions that are highly favorable for the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants. Despite this potential, horticulture in these regions has remained underdeveloped due to poor infrastructure, limited technology access, and inadequate marketing facilities. To address these…