Sustainable Agriculture Development in India: Emerging Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the most prominent sectors of the Indian economy. It is the source of livelihood for almost two third of the rural population workforce in the country residing in rural areas. In the present scenario, agriculture has progressed substantially well and is becoming more and more efficient over time. The achievements of quantum jump in the production and productivity can be attributed to the introduction and breeding of high yielding variety (HYV), which adequately demonstrated the vast potential of science-led revolutions viz., Green, White and Blue. Despite these appreciable achievements, challenges associated with climate risk and depleting natural resources. Almost 40.0 per cent of the crop land has been degraded in less than four decades, and almost 25.0 billion tonnes of top soil were being lost to erosion every year. The instinct performance of Indian agriculture depends on the performance of abundant resources, the sustainable strategies and methods adopted to face dryness due to the decrease in the rainfall, the agriculturist has to use the innovative strategies. It is in this context that the present paper seeks to draw the attention and need of a thorough study regarding sustainable agriculture development (SAD) in India. To achieve social and economic equality, sustainable agriculture methods must strike a balance between environmental health and economic prosperity. As a result, good management of both natural and human resources is critical. The Indian government has taken several efforts to promote long-term sustainable agricultural development.