Question 16:Analyse any five problems faced by Indian farmers in agriculture
The correct answer is – Indian farmers face a range of problems that affect their agricultural productivity and economic status. Some of the major problems faced by Indian farmers in agriculture include:
-
Small landholdings: Most farmers in India have small landholdings, which are often fragmented and non-contiguous, making it difficult for them to use modern agricultural technologies, engage in crop rotation or adopt mechanization, which can help to increase productivity.
-
Poor irrigation facilities: Irrigation facilities in India are limited, and the majority of farmers still depend on rainfall. This makes farming vulnerable to the vagaries of the monsoon and limits their ability to cultivate crops throughout the year.
-
Dependence on monsoons: Most parts of India are monsoon-dependent, and drought or flood conditions can severely affect agricultural production. Erratic weather patterns and climate change further exacerbate the vulnerability of Indian farmers.
-
Lack of access to credit: Small farmers often find it difficult to get credit from formal sources due to lack of collateral, low literacy levels, and a complex bureaucratic process. This forces them to turn to informal money lenders who charge high rates of interest, pushing them into a debt trap.
-
Lack of modern technology and infrastructure: Indian agriculture still relies heavily on manual labour, and farmers lack access to modern agricultural technologies, such as high-yield seeds, efficient farm machinery and modern infrastructure like cold storage facilities. This reduces their productivity, quality and competitiveness in the global market.
-
Market fluctuations: Indian farmers are often at the mercy of market forces, which can lead to price volatility, inadequate returns on investment, and high risk. Despite efforts to reform the agricultural sector, farmers still face challenges in accessing better prices and market linkages.
