Revisiting the farmer question
Despite India's economic transformation, agriculture still employs 46% of the workforce, creating a paradox of economic viability. The article revisits the recommendations of the M. S. Swaminathan-chaired National Commission on Farmers (NCF) to address challenges like small landholdings, water scarcity, climate change, and low farmer income.
Why it matters
This analysis underscores the persistent challenges faced by India's agricultural sector and its large workforce, emphasizing the need for policy reforms to ensure farmers' economic viability and food security in the face of climate change.
India may no longer be an agriculture dominated economy, but it remains deeply dependent on it. While only about 15–18% of GDP now comes from agriculture, the sector continues to employ around 46% of India’s workforce. A large part of rural India depends directly on farming and allied activities for its livelihood. This creates an uncomfortable paradox: while India has transformed into an economy driven by industry and services, the economic viability of farming has not kept pace. This is why, as we observe M. S. Swaminathan’s birth centenary year and his death anniversary, the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers (NCF), which he chaired, need to be revisited.
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