Comprising 61.5% of the total population in the country, the Farmers today are, but the least creditable chunk of our economy. Despite providing us with a substantial amount of produce, they are being neglected on many grounds; be it machinery, techniques, money, or knowledge, they have to bear the burden of being backward and incompatible. Although farming is such a primitive and productive jobs to opt for, most of the people face similar kind of problems regarding farming and activities related to it. But the disaster of farmers committing suicides has become a great phenomenon recently; what could be a decisive reason? Why its been so drastic in recent times?

Farmers and the legacy-

Agriculture or so to say, farming has been opted by a large number of people since it was introduced or, invented. The history of agriculture in India dates back to Indus Valley Civilization and even before that. It became one of the substantial activities that could sustain a huge amount of people. The upsurge in the activity as this resulted in the discovery of new techniques, machienaries, and even the crops which gave a boost to their own consumption, as well as the trade and commercial regulatories.

The colonialization, in the 18th century, was the period that saw a dramatic increase in the number of farmers in the country, under the force of the East India Company, that turned out a large amount of people engaged in other sectors to too seek for the agricultural work. Leaving almost 65% of India contributing to farming, the country came up with its own revolutionary ideas and schemes, such as the Green Revolution, which turned out to be a fancy for the country. But the irony is, still the farmers have stuck with the old and bygone techniques of agriculture that doesn’t provide any kind of fruitfulness to them. And contribute only a less figure to the economy.

Agriculture and differences –

With the Green Revolution adding more to the production of crops in the 19th century, there were still many differences in India itself, in terms of production and output.

While it states such as, Punjab, UP, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala saw an upsurge in the agricultural pattern. With the farmers and the government officials focusing on farm productivity and knowledge transfer, India’s total food grain production soared. Such rapid growth in farm productivity anabled India to become self-sufficient by 1970s. It also empowered the smallholder farmers to seek further means to increase food staples produced per hectare. On the other hand, areas with shortage of water and nutritious soil were left behind and it took many years to bring them up to the mark of other states with high production.

Due to such huge diversity between the states producing crops,India accounts only, on average, for about 16% of GDP and 10% of export earnings.

Problems and initiatives –

low agricultural growth is a concern for policymakers as some two-thirds of India’s people depend on rural employment for a living. Current agricultural practices are neither economically nor environmentally sustainable and India’s yield for many agricultural commodities is low. Poorly maintained irrigation system and almost universal lack of good extension services are among factors responsible. Farmers’ access to markets is hampered by poor roads, rudimentary market infrastructure and excessive regulation.
– World Bank

• Climate change
• Marketing
• Infrastructure
• Farmers suicides
• Productivity

The above listed points are some of the good reasons why the agricultural sector faces huge loss and is unfortunately unable to develop as per the will.

The government has done a great deed in the past for the improved condition of farmers and farming, andis alsos currently practicing so. It has launched many a such schemes to benefit the farmer and improvise their method of farming.

As per a saying in hindi –

Jai Javan Jai Kisan, ye dono h desh ki shaan

If the “Shaan” if the country is always under immense pressure and is supplied with voulantry salary, the sustainability of millions of people in the country would be largely affected, and it would not be able to enlarge its economy and only would be counted in the developing one.