Indian Agriculture Towards 2030: Pathways for Enhancing Farmers’ Income, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Food and Farm Systems (India Studies in Business and Economics)

This open access book brings together varying perspectives for transformational change needed in India{u2019}s agriculture and allied sectors. Stressing the need of thinking for a post-Green Revolution future, the book promotes approaching this change through eight broad areas, indicating the policy shifts needed to meet the challenges for the coming decade (2021-2030). The book comprises of ten contributions. Apart from the overview chapter on transformational change and the concluding chapter on pathways for 2030, there are eight thematic chapters on topics such as transforming Indian agriculture, dietary diversity for nutritive and safe food; climate crisis and risk management; water in agriculture; pests, pandemics, preparedness and biosecurity natural farming; agroecology and biodiverse futures; science, technology and innovation in agriculture; and structural reforms and governance. The writing style of these papers written by technical experts is forward-looking{u2014}not merely an analysis of what has been and why it was so, but what ought to be. This is an essential reading for those interested in agriculture, food and nutrition sectors of India, and more so their interconnectedness Introduction FAO Team Contents Editors and Contributors Indian Agriculture Towards 2030—Need for a Transformative Vision 1 Background 2 Global Challenges 3 Challenges at the National Level 4 India’s Commitments to SDGs and Climate Change 5 Need for a Transformative Vision Reference Transforming Indian Agriculture 1 Introduction 2 Structural Transformation and Intensification in Indian Agriculture 2.1 Land 2.2 Water for Irrigation 2.3 Labour 2.4 Capital 2.5 Farm Mechanisation 2.6 Knowledge Intensive Agriculture 3 From Food Deficit to Surplus 4 Undesirable Consequences of Agricultural Intensification and Mitigation Measures 4.1 Remedial Measures for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification 5 The Way Forward: Pathways for Productive, Profitable and Sustainable Agriculture 5.1 Innovations 5.2 Incentives 5.3 Institutions References Dietary Diversity, Nutrition and Food Safety 1 Introduction 2 Changing Dietary Pattern 2.1 Consumption Expenditure on Food and Non-food Groups 2.2 Calorie Intake Trends 2.3 Protein Intake Trends 2.4 Fat Intake Trends 2.5 Micronutrients Intake 3 Malnutrition Trends 4 Different Interventions and Impact 4.1 Poverty Trends 4.2 MGNREGA 4.3 NFSA 4.4 Child Nutrition Schemes 4.5 Cash Transfers 4.6 COVID-19 and Safety Net Programmes 5 Food Safety Concerns 6 Sustainability in Consumption 6.1 Reducing Postharvest Losses 7 Fortification and Bio-fortification 8 Pathways for Safe and Healthy Diets for Nutritional Security 8.1 Improving Dietary Diversity 8.2 Reducing Postharvest Losses 8.3 Bio-fortification of Staples and Improving Awareness 8.4 Empowerment of Women 8.5 Enforcing Standards of Foods Safety, Packaging and Labelling 8.6 Improving WASH 8.7 Implementation of Programmes 8.8 Nutrition Education and Food Safety Awareness 8.9 Use of ICT Annexure References Managing Climatic Risks in Agriculture 1 Introduction 2 Climate Change in India 3 Projected Impacts of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture 3.1 Crops 3.2 Pests and Diseases 3.3 Livestock 3.4 Fisheries 3.5 Food Supply and Prices 4 Technological Options 4.1 Field and Horticultural Crops 4.2 Livestock 4.3 Fisheries 4.4 Natural Resource Management 5 Institutional and Policy Options for Adapting to Climate Risks 5.1 Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation in Development Planning 5.2 Leveraging Watershed Programmes and MGNREGA 5.3 Contingency Crop Planning and Agro Advisory Services 5.4 Insurance, Credit and Risk Management 6 Conclusions References Symbiosis of Water and Agricultural Transformation in India 1 Green Revolution: Context and Achievements 2 Constituent Elements of the Green Revolution Paradigm 3 Wheels Come Off the Green Revolution 4 The Paradigm Shift Required in Agriculture 4.1 Not Quite a Green Revolution: Towards Crop Diversification Reflecting Agroecology of Diverse Regions 4.2 Monoculture Impairs Resilience: Return to Polycultural Biodiversity 4.3 Rejecting the Originative Flaw (Soil as an Input–Output Machine) 4.4 Water Saving Seeds and Technologies 4.5 Reversing the Neglect of Rainfed Areas: Focus on Green Water and Protective Irrigation 5 The Paradigm Shift Required in Water 5.1 Participatory Irrigation Management in the Irrigation Commands 5.2 Participatory Groundwater Management 5.3 Breaking the Groundwater-Energy Nexus and Legal Reform 5.4 Protecting and Rejuvenating India’s Catchment Areas 5.5 Building Trans-Disciplinarity in Water 5.6 Overcoming Hydro-schizophrenia 5.7 Building Multi-stakeholder Partnerships 6 Conclusion References Pests, Pandemics, Preparedness and Biosecurity 1 Introduction 2 Pests and Pandemics: Crops 2.1 Transboundary Plant Pests 3 Emerging Pest Problems: Insects and Diseases 3.1 Emerging Pest Problems: Nematodes and Weeds 3.2 Pests and Pandemics: Livestock 3.3 Pests and Pandemics: Fisheries 3.4 Pests and Pandemics—Effects on Food, Nutrition, Employment and Environment 3.5 Pests and Pandemics—Effects on Biodiversity 3.6 Pests, Pandemics and Biosecurity 4 Impact of Climate Change on Pests and Pandemics 5 Pests and Pandemics: Preparedness and Policy Needs 6 Prospects of ‘One Health’ Approach 7 Way Forward 8 Conclusion References Transformative Agroecology-Based Alternatives for a Sustainable and Biodiverse Future 1 Background: The Imperative for a Transformative Shift in Indian Agriculture 2 Paths to More Sustainable Agricultural Systems 2.1 Current Status of Transformative Agricultural Policies Across India 2.2 Working with Nature and Ecology: Transformation Based on Agroecology 2.3 Designing Transformation Processes 3 What India Needs to Achieve by 2030 4 Policy Changes/recommendations Annexure 1 References Science, Technology and Innovation 1 Introduction 2 Paradigm Shift in Agricultural Research and Technology to Address New Challenges and Opportunities 2.1 Smallholder Farmers at the Centre Stage 2.2 Nutritional Security to Be a Key Goal of Agriculture 2.3 Value Chain Management and Prevention of Food Losses 2.4 Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) 2.5 Greening the Growth 2.6 From Subsistence to Commercial Agriculture 2.7 From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution 2.8 Digital Solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Evergreen Revolution 2.9 Attracting Youth and Empowering Women in Agriculture 2.10 Towards Precision Agriculture 2.11 Measure to Manage—Ensuring Effective Implementation Pathways 3 Frontier Technologies, Intellectual Property Issues and Their Application 3.1 Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture and New Gains 3.2 IPR Issues and Their Application 4 Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Agriculture 4.1 ITK: A Valuable Resource 4.2 Threats to Traditional Knowledge and Initiatives on Protecting ITK 4.3 Using ITKs and Farmers’ Wisdom for Agricultural Sustainability 5 From Science of Discovery to Science of Delivery: Innovative Technology Diffusion Options 5.1 Integration and Coordination among Different Departments 5.2 Public-Private Partnership 5.3 Local is Vocal 5.4 Technology Parks, Custom Hiring Centres and Agri-Business Hubs as Active Platforms for Technology Diffusion 5.5 Innovation and Incubation Centres 5.6 Farmer-Led Extension 5.7 Innovation Agents—Role of Skilled Youth and Women in Agriculture 5.8 New Models for Capacity Building 5.9 Agriculture Innovation Board 6 Non-Agricultural Disruptive Technologies Influencing Innovations in Agriculture 6.1 Blockchain Technology—from Crop Management, Marketing and Procurement to Certification and Traceability 6.2 Application of Biosensors in Agriculture and Allied Fields 6.3 Use of Non-Fossil Fuel—a Win-Win Option 6.4 Solar Power for Sustainable Agriculture 6.5 Waste Management and Agriculture 7 Rejuvenating Agricultural Education System (AES) 7.1 State of the Agricultural Education System 7.2 Asymmetries and Shortcomings in the AES 7.3 Alleviating the Asymmetries for Rejuvenating the System 7.4 Quality Assurance in Education 7.5 Paradigm Shifts Needed for Rejuvenating Agricultural Education System 8 Pathways from Research to Innovation for Impact References Structural Reforms and Governance Issues in Indian Agriculture 1 Background 2 Agriculture Under a Federal Structure in India and Governance Issues 3 Public Spending on Investments and Subsidies in Agriculture 3.1 Accelerating Public Investment in Agriculture and Irrigation 3.2 Reforming the Input Subsidy Regime 4 Reforming Agriculture Price Policy and Marketing 4.1 Replacing Minimum Support Price with Income Support 4.2 Legislation and Regulations in Agriculture Marketing 5 Conclusions and Way Forward Annex References Remandating Indian Agriculture: Pathways for Transformation 1 Demand and Supply Aspects of the Indian Agri-Food System 1.1 Historical Trends in Consumption Patterns 1.2 Drivers of Changes in Consumption Pattern 1.3 Projected Demand and Supply of Food by 2030 1.4 Supply Side Transformation of Agriculture 2 Pathways for Transformation of the Agri-Food System 2.1 Increased Investment in Agriculture 2.2 Making Indian Agriculture Globally-Focused 2.3 Increasing the Efficiency of Water and Other Resources 2.4 Making Agriculture Climate Resilient 2.5 Tackling Dietary Diversity, Nutrition and Food Safety 2.6 Strengthening Institutions 2.7 Adopting Appropriate Policies and Improving Governance References Correction to: Indian Agriculture Towards 2030 Correction to: R. Chand et al. (eds.), Indian Agriculture Towards 2030, India Studies in Business and Economics, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0763-0 This open access book brings together varying perspectives for transformational change needed in India's agriculture and allied sectors. Stressing the need of thinking for a post-Green Revolution future, the book promotes approaching this change through eight broad areas, indicating the policy shifts needed to meet the challenges for the coming decade (2021-2030). The book comprises of ten contributions. Apart from the overview chapter on transformational change and the concluding chapter on pathways for 2030, there are eight thematic chapters on topics such as transforming Indian agriculture, dietary diversity for nutritive and safe food; climate crisis and risk management; water in agriculture; pests, pandemics, preparedness and biosecurity natural farming; agroecology and biodiverse futures; science, technology and innovation in agriculture; and structural reforms and governance. The writing style of these papers written by technical experts is forward-looking -- not merely an analysis of what has been and why it was so, but what ought to be. This is an essential reading for those interested in agriculture, food and nutrition sectors of India, and more so their interconnectedness