As the government works to increase the contribution of agricultural production to India’s GDP, a crucial need is the empowerment of farmers through education on modern technology and innovative techniques, which will help them achieve high productivity and quality in their produce.
According to the Agriculture and Food Management Report of the Economic Survey 2024-25, agriculture sector contributes nearly 16% to India’s GDP while supporting around 46.1% of the Indian population. The above graph clearly shows the decrease of the agriculture sector’s share in India’s GDP since 2018, now standing at just 16%. This highlights the urgent need to enhance agricultural efficiency.
MODERN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMERS
The broad scope in modern techniques of agriculture has guided us to a new era of innovation, minimizing losses and enhancing overall capability. These technological advancements are a boon for farmers as the adoption of digital and analytic tools continues to drive ongoing improvements in agriculture. This sustained trend holds the promise of optimizing crop yields and contributing to the upliftment of the modern farming community by boosting income levels.
INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURE METHODS TO ENHANCE THE CROP PRODUCTIVITY OF FARMERS
Precision Farming: This technique utilizes technology such as GPS-guided tractors and drones for precise planting, irrigation, and harvesting, thereby optimizing resource use and minimizing waste.
Vertical Farming: Grow crops in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces, often indoors, allowing year-round production and efficient space utilization.
Hydroponics and aquaponics: utilize soilless cultivation methods, where plants grow in nutrient-rich water solutions. Hydroponics focuses on water-based systems, and aquaponics integrates fish farming.
Biological Pest Control: Utilize natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pests, rather than relying on chemical pesticides, to promote sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.
Vertical Integration: Integrate various stages of the farmers’ supply chain, from production to distribution, allowing better control over quality and costs.
Agroforestry: Integrate trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes to provide additional income through timber or fruit production and improve soil fertility.
Drip Irrigation: Practice efficient water delivery directly to the plant’s root zone to reduce water wastage and promote water-use efficiency.
These modern agriculture methods contribute to sustainable agriculture development, increasing agricultural productivity, improving resource management, and ultimately enhancing the overall productivity of farmers. But what does this mean in terms of crop production? Let’s break down the benefits these practices when bring to the field.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF MODERN AGRICULTURE PRACTICES IN CROP PRODUCTION?
Efficient Resource Use: Modern agriculture practices like precision irrigation, drip irrigation systems, soil health analysis etc, reduce the wastage of water, fertilizers, and other natural resources.
Increased Crop Yields: Modern practices like using high-yield seeds, hydroponics, precision farming etc, increase the production of crop per square area, showing excellent results even on limited cultivable land.
Environmentally Friendly: These practices reduce the use of unnecessary chemicals on the field, resulting in improved soil health and reduced soil erosion.
Increased Crop Quality: Modern practices like hydroponics, vertical farming, precision farming, etc, use controlled environments, which result in consistent, high-quality crop production with minimum resource wastage.
However, the farmers need training to implement these techniques effectively and maximize their benefits.
THAT’S WHEN A RURAL DEVELOPMENT NGO STEPS IN
The Agricultural Development Program at S M Sehgal Foundation, one of the top sustainable rural development NGO in India, is dedicated to fostering sustainable livelihoods among farmers, particularly women producers. Through the promotion of improved agricultural practices and the role of modern techniques and cutting-edge technologies, the program aims to enhance crop yields, promote water conservation, and improve soil fertility.
Working closely with smallholder farmers in both rain-fed and irrigated areas, the team focuses on various aspects, including soil health management, crop production, input-use efficiency, small-farm mechanization, water-efficient irrigation techniques, horticultural development, livestock management, and the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in agriculture.
FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS SUCCESS: NURTURING LEARNING & EXPERIMENTATION
In Northern India, farmers, particularly in Punjab, have a historical focus on cereal crops and pulses, stemming from the Green Revolution. S M Sehgal Foundation introduced “Farmer Field Schools” in 2020 to address monocropping and other traditional farming methods. Akhlak and his father, Iqbal, were initially skeptical, but they embraced the initiative and saw remarkable results.
The Field Schools, tailored for the Trans-Gangetic plains, incorporate advanced practices like polyhouses, solar spray pumps, drip irrigation, etc, to increase crop productivity. In January 2023, Akhlak’s farm achieved 1.5 times higher yields in tomatoes, breaking the notion of vegetable farming losses. The success attracted more than 314 farmers from nearby villages, fostering knowledge exchange. Akhlak used his increased income for education and land repayment, reinvesting in future cycles for sustained prosperity.
JAURASI FARMER ADOPTS SUSTAINABLE HIGH-VALUE BROCCOLI CUTLIVATION
“I will continue sustainable broccoli farming in more areas of my land and encourage other farmers to grow high-value crops sustainably.”
~ Pradeep Singh, farmer from Jaurasi village, Nuh district, Haryana
Pradeep Singh, a dedicated farmer from Jaurasi village in Haryana’s Nuh district, relies on farming as his family’s primary income source. Cultivating wheat, mustard, millet, and vegetables on their five-acre land, he needed more than just traditional farming methods to generate significant profits.
In April 2022, a transformative opportunity arose under an ongoing CSR-supported initiative by S M Sehgal Foundation. Pradeep embraced sustainable broccoli farming, a novel intervention discussed during a Village Development Committee session in September 2022. Selected for the project, he received broccoli seeds, essential micronutrients, and comprehensive training.
Pradeep’s commitment yielded a bountiful harvest of 2,500 kg of broccoli, translating to approximately INR 70,000 in total sales. With a cultivation cost of INR 15,000, his net profit soared to INR 55,000, showcasing a remarkable income, doubling that of traditional crops like mustard or wheat.
CONCLUSION
With Agriculture still being one of the major contributors to Indian GDP, it becomes necessary to shift focus towards boosting farmer productivity and profitability. Stories like Akhlak’s tomato success in Punjab and Pradeep Singh’s profitable broccoli farming in Haryana clearly show how modern agriculture techniques and grassroots support can transform rural livelihoods.
As technology reshapes farming through modern agriculture methods, water-efficient practices, and Farmer Field Schools, there is a renewed hope for a flourishing, sustainable agricultural future. By equipping farmers with knowledge and tools, we not only boost yields and income but also pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous rural India.
FAQs
Precision farming utilizes technology like GPS-guided tractors and drones for precise planting, irrigation, and harvesting, optimizing resource use and minimizing waste.
The Agriculture Development Program at S M Sehgal Foundation promotes sustainable livelihoods by fostering improved agricultural practices, modern techniques, and cutting-edge technologies to enhance crop yields, conserve water, and improve soil fertility.
While innovative techniques contribute to sustainable agriculture, effective implementation requires training, and organizations like S M Sehgal Foundation play a pivotal role in providing such training to farmers.
Despite significant advancements in food grain production, the agricultural sector faces challenges; and empowering farmers through education on modern technology is crucial for enhancing productivity and elevating profitability.
Examples include precision farming, vertical farming, hydroponics and aquaponics, biological pest control, vertical integration, agroforestry, and drip irrigation.
About the Author
Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation
Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.
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