Doubling Farmers' Income in India: Progress, Gaps and Futuristic Approaches

Abstract

In India, the agriculture sector is constantly improving its mechanism to maximize output and ensure food security. However, a large population is leaving farming practices because of the low-income generation. As a result, in 2016, the government of India formed an interministerial committee for the evaluation of existing problems and then recommends feasible strategies to accomplish the mission of 'Doubling Farmers' Income by 2022'. In this review, we have discussed the concept of doubling farmers' income, its present standpoints, challenges and the role of the Indian government in mitigating the same. Further, the innovative approaches to meet the aforementioned goal have also been highlighted. The Indian government has supported various development programs, implemented a large number of schemes and recently, additional income transfer under the PM-KISAN scheme to double farmers' income. Innovative agricultural approaches like advanced farming methods, smart agriculture, diversification and commercialization, climate smart agriculture and nutrition farming if implemented at Pan India level will definitely resulted into income generation. Despite tremendous efforts by the Indian government, some challenges still exist in the agriculture sector and this study gives valuable recommendations that would act as pillars in the policymaking to achieve the 'doubling farmers' income initiative.

Transforming Indian Agriculture Through Technology: Harvesting Potential Benefits and Challenges of Digitalization in Indian Agriculture Sector

“…The suggestions made are important cornerstones for developing policies that will carry out this audacious project. (Acharya Balkrishna, 2022) The survey highlights how critical 5G networks are to improving data transfer rates and facilitating the adoption of smart agricultural solutions, especially in developing nations where government backing is essential to achieving farm sustainability and raising productivity levels. (Elsayed Said Mohamed, 2021).…”

“…It also emphasizes the importance of science and technology interventions as well as government policies to support agricultural output, offering crucial frameworks for developing successful policies to carry out this audacious project. (Acharya Balkrishna, 2022) Looks explores the integration of IoT in Indian agriculture in great detail, highlighting how it can transform farming practices and improve livelihoods, productivity, and sustainability through successful real-world instances. In order to effectively use IoT for farmer empowerment, the study emphasizes the crucial role that policy and institutional support-including governmental initiatives and partnerships-play.…”

Minimum Support Price under the Aegis of Universal Basic Income: Understanding the Implications and Way Forward: A Review

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“…The advantage appears to be that UBI does not intervene in the agricultural market and allows free trade, does not impair loan credit in the form of weavers, does not encourage monocropping and avoids complex and costly administrative procedures as well as sluggishness in implementing schemes such as grain procurement under the PDS System. A modified version of this system, known as PM-KISAN, a targeted basic income plan, has recently been adopted in the nation, under which a defined quantity of money is directly paid to farmers throughout each cropping season (Balkrishna et al, 2022;. PM-KISAN is currently in its first stage of transitioning from price-based to income-based policy.…”