Agriculture has always been central to India's economy, culture, and way of life, particularly in rural areas where over 68% of the population resides. The role of agriculture in India has changed considerably since independence, with the contribution to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy dropping from 61.7% in 1950 to 16.3% by 2020. Despite this decline in relative economic contribution, the sector still employed 46.5% of the workforce in 2020, down from 69.2% in 1950.

In the post-independence era, Indian agriculture underwent a series of transformative changes aimed at improving productivity and making farming more sustainable. Key reforms such as the abolition of intermediaries, the introduction of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, and the Green Revolution in 1966, which introduced high-yielding varieties of crops, were crucial milestones. 

The Green Revolution increased productivity but also led to an over-dependence on chemical inputs, prompting later efforts for more sustainable farming techniques. Other important initiatives include Operation Flood, the Evergreen Revolution, and agricultural diversification, which have all contributed to shaping India's agricultural landscape.

From Subsistence Farming to Market-Oriented Practices:

Historically, Indian agriculture was predominantly subsistence farming, where farmers cultivated crops primarily for their own consumption. This farming style can be divided into two categories: primitive subsistence agriculture and intensive subsistence agriculture.

• Primitive Subsistence Agriculture: Practiced in areas with low population density, this involved shifting cultivation, where farmers cleared land by fire and cultivated it for a few years before abandoning it. Regions like the northeastern states, Odisha, and Telangana still practice this method.
• Intensive Subsistence Agriculture: This form of agriculture, more common in densely populated regions, involves high-yield crops like rice, wheat, soybeans, and sorghum. It requires considerable labor input and typically relies heavily on monsoon rainfall for irrigation, making crop yields vulnerable to weather fluctuations.

With time, particularly after the economic reforms of the 1990s, Indian agriculture has shifted from subsistence farming to more market-oriented practices. The introduction of technology, mechanization, and market linkages has made farming more commercially viable and profit-driven. This transition is reflective of India’s changing food consumption patterns and growing demand for non-food crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Challenges:

India’s agricultural landscape is shaped by the predominance of small and marginal land holdings. According to the Agricultural Census of 2015-16, over 86% of agricultural land holdings are small (<2 hectares), with the average size for marginal farmers being just 0.38 hectares.

This fragmentation of land is driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, and limited access to capital, which severely limits investment in farming and results in low productivity. Small landholdings also impede the widespread adoption of modern farming equipment and mechanization.

The heavy reliance on monsoon rainfall for irrigation further complicates agricultural practices. As per NITI Aayog, only 55% of India’s net cropped area is irrigated, with the remaining 45% dependent on rainfall. The southwest monsoon, which brings rainfall between June and September, is crucial for the Kharif season.

However, erratic monsoon patterns, characterized by excessive rainfall, droughts, or untimely rain, have had disastrous impacts on crop yields. Events like El Niño, which result in insufficient rainfall, and La Niña, which leads to excess rainfall and flooding, underscore the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to climate variability.

The Shift towards Profit-Driven Agricultural Practices

1. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI has begun transforming Indian agriculture by aiding weather forecasting, pest detection, and crop yield optimization. However, its reach is limited to a small subset of tech-savvy farmers. In the US and Europe, generative AI tools offer precision farming at scale by integrating large datasets for real-time insights.

• Create vernacular AI platforms for smallholder farmers.
• Partner with AgTech firms to develop affordable AI tools.
• Utilize government programs to disseminate AI-based advisory services.

2. Promoting Regenerative Farming: Excessive use of chemicals and monoculture practices continue to degrade India's soil and biodiversity. While pockets of regenerative practices like organic farming and zero-budget natural farming exist, they remain insufficient. Countries like France and the US excel in this area through farmer incentives, structured policies, and R&D.

·        Develop a national regenerative farming policy.

·        Encourage private sector-led R&D in sustainable, cost-efficient agro-ecology practices.

3. Boosting Robotics and Automation: Robotics adoption in India is limited due to high costs and an abundant rural workforce. While basic automation tools like seeders and sprayers are used, advanced technologies such as robotic harvesters remain inaccessible.

·        Design low-cost robotic solutions tailored to small farms.

·        Establish AgTech hubs to test and deploy automation tools.

·        Encourage public-private partnerships to scale robotics innovation.

4. Expanding the Alternative Protein Market:  India's alternative protein industry is in its infancy, led primarily by startups. Challenges such as affordability and scalability persist, while the EU excels in this sector through government-backed initiatives and advanced R&D.

·        Collaborate with global leaders to enhance production techniques.

·        Raise public awareness about lab-grown proteins.

·        Invest in infrastructure to improve affordability and scalability.

5. Adopting Digital Twin Technology: Digital twin technology, which allows virtual modeling of field trials, is underutilized in India. Traditional manual trials increase costs and delay new crop technology deployment. By contrast, countries like the US leverage digital twins to expedite innovation while reducing costs.

·        Partner with AgTech companies to pilot digital twin projects.

·        Train researchers in digital modeling technologies.

·        Introduce tax incentives for investments in digital twin solutions.

6. Scaling Blockchain Adoption: Blockchain, though in the experimental stage in India, has the potential to revolutionize agricultural supply chains by improving transparency and market access. China leads in blockchain integration across multiple agricultural sectors.

·        Focus on export crops to maximize blockchain benefits.

·        Build infrastructure and increase farmer awareness of blockchain systems.

·        Promote blockchain use to improve pricing and traceability.

7. Implementing Climate-Smart Farming Practices: India's initiatives in climate-smart agriculture, like PM-KUSUM for renewable energy irrigation, are limited in scale. Comprehensive solutions are needed to mitigate climate change's impact on agriculture.

·        Scale up micro-irrigation technologies.

·        Develop climate-resilient seed varieties and bio-based crop protection products.

·        Use AI to create localized climate advisory systems.

Government Initiatives and Support for Agricultural Modernization

• PM-KISAN: A direct income support scheme for farmers, providing them with financial assistance.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: A crop insurance scheme designed to mitigate losses from natural disasters.
• Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): These organizations help farmers pool resources, access sustainable practices, and connect with markets.
• Soil Health Card Scheme: Encouraging soil testing and providing farmers with detailed information on soil health to optimize the use of fertilizers.
• Micro Irrigation Fund: Supporting farmers in adopting water-efficient irrigation technologies.
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: Promoting organic farming practices.

Conclusion:

The evolution of Indian agriculture from subsistence farming to market-oriented practices reflects the ongoing changes in the sector. However, these changes are not without challenges. The dependence on monsoon rains, shrinking land holdings, and climate change continue to pose significant risks. Nevertheless, India’s agricultural future looks promising with the adoption of modern technologies, the shift towards high-value crops, and government initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability.

To ensure that agriculture remains the backbone of rural India, it is essential to continue supporting small and marginal farmers, improving access to credit, and implementing climate-smart solutions. By investing in sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, India can meet the growing food demands of its population while mitigating the effects of climate change.