Introduction India’s agricultural success story is inseparable from fertilisers. From the early years of food shortages to becoming one of the world’s largest producers of cereals, fertilisers have played a decisive role in raising crop productivity and stabilising rural livelihoods. Today, India ranks among the largest consumers of fertilisers globally, reflecting both its vast farming…
Introduction Poverty is often narrowly understood as a lack of income. However, modern development thinking recognizes poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon involving deprivation of opportunities, capabilities, dignity, and basic rights. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen conceptualized poverty as a “capability deprivation,” emphasizing that real poverty lies in the inability of individuals to live lives they value….
Introduction Poverty eradication has been a core objective of India’s development policy since independence. Successive governments have introduced a wide range of schemes aimed at improving income security, food availability, housing, healthcare, education, and employment. Programmes such as the Public Distribution System, MGNREGA, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and Direct…
Introduction Agriculture remains the backbone of India’s economy, employing nearly 50% of the workforce and contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP. Despite its central role, farmers often face low productivity, crop losses due to pests and diseases, climate-related challenges, and market uncertainties, leading to a precarious standard of living. In recent decades, biotechnology has emerged…
Introduction India’s economic journey over the past three decades has been marked by periods of robust growth, liberalization-led industrial expansion, and rapid technological progress. Since the economic reforms of 1991, India has consistently achieved high GDP growth rates, at times exceeding 7–8% per annum. This rapid economic expansion has positioned India as one of the…
Introduction The Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012–17) marked the last in the series of Five-Year Plans implemented by the Planning Commission of India before its dissolution in 2014. The Plan was a continuation of the country’s strategy for inclusive, sustainable, and rapid economic growth, building upon the achievements of previous plans. Formulated in the backdrop of…
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 Food security is a fundamental aspect of sustainable development and economic stability. In India, with a growing population exceeding 1.4 billion, ensuring availability, access, and affordability of food is a key national priority. To meet this challenge, the Government of India launched the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) to increase production of rice, wheat,…
Introduction India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a $5 trillion economy by the mid-2020s. This goal, set by the Government of India, reflects the nation’s aspiration to accelerate economic growth, enhance global competitiveness, and improve living standards for its citizens. Achieving this target requires sustained efforts across multiple…
Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, providing livelihood to more than 50% of the population. However, small and marginal farmers—constituting 86% of the total farming community—have historically faced challenges like low income, lack of institutional credit, market access issues, and vulnerability to climate risks. To address this, the Government of India launched the…