Problems in Indian Agriculture and Challenges faced by Farmers
challenges in Indian Agriculture Problems faced by Indian farmers
Soil Erosion:
India soils have been used for so many years for growing crops without proper replenishing. Exhaustion of soil has led to less productivity and the average yields of almost all the crops are lowest in the world. With deforestation the sources of maintaining natural fertility of the soil has been drying out. Ignorance of scientific knowledge has further depleted the soils natural fertility.
Fragmented Land Holdings:
Pressure of increasing population and dividing the land among the heirs has caused excessive sub divisions of farming lands. This makes farming activity uneconomical and leads to social tension.
Irrigation:
Irrigation is the most important agricultural input in a tropical monsoon country like India where rainfall is uncertain and unreliable. Indian farmers can’t achieve success until more than half of the cropped area is brought under assured irrigation.
Storage:
It’s a big challenge for farmers and nearly 10-15% of their harvest goes waste every year in the absence of proper storage facilities. Though steps have been taken by government to minimize it lot of scientific ware housing facilities are required.
See also advantages of Drip Irrigation
Marketing:
Absence of sound marketing facilities leads the farmers to look for local traders and middle man for disposal of their farm produce in throw away prices. Difference between farmer’s gate price and retail price should be properly monitored by authorities. Government working with Giant co-operative for genetically modified crops puts huge pressure on farmers.
Low Literacy:
Most of the farmers in India are not literate. Proper awareness and teaching should be provided to improve their crop yield.
Lack of mechanization:
In India, latest agricultural machines have not been used. Agriculture in larger parts is still carried on by human hand using simple and conventional tools and implements like wooden plough, sick, etc. This hampers the development of agriculture.
Inadequate Transport:
Lack of inefficient transport makes the Indian Farmers handicapped. Even today many villages are not properly connected. During rainy season most of the roads in India become useless and farmers cannot carry their goods.
see also Agricultural Departments in Tamil Nadu
see also Agricultural Departments in Tamil Nadu
Credit Issues:
Timely credit is not given and there are undue delays in dispensation of credit.
Finance Limit:
The scale of finances fixed by authorities is inadequate as the farm labor has become costly.
Documents and Security:
Farmers have expressed unhappiness about the security norms and documentation process. Self employed persons not being able to access bank credit due to strict collateral security norms.
