By – Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
In his 75th Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi asserted that adopting modern practices in the agriculture sector is imperative;PM Modi has said that in every aspect of life newness, modernisation is essential.First of all, let us understand what modern farming means. It means farming using modern techniques and technologies. This farming is facilitated by modern science and many new aspects of discoveries and inventions. Modern agriculture uses new methods of irrigation and new means of investment. The modern farming provides a farmer with a commercialised occupation and employment sphere. In India’s agriculture sector, modernisation is the need of the hour. India is one of the largest producers of food grains globally. Though its agriculture is very small-scale, yield from farming is low and the pressure on land is enormous. This needs to change with the help of digital precision technology. Agriculture is not just a sector for India or just a job that people do; it is simply a way of life for us Indians. Without this sector, the population boom in this country and the economic cycles will come to a literal standstill. It contributes around 32 per cent of the national income and provides employment to 70 per cent of Indian working force. Although the majority of citizens are engaged in agriculture, the country is still not self-sufficient in producing enough food to feed the population. Modern farming has got a number of advantages over other systems of farming; firstly, the production of the agricultural products is very higher in the modern faming. There is also reduction in the labour. This is because the farm activities are mechanised.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan a term coined by the former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri holds value and relevance for thousands of years to come. While soldiers at our nation’s borders protect our countries from enemies, farmers of India feed the country each and every day.Modi has rightly said that “In order to create new employment opportunities in the agriculture sector, to increase farmers’ income, it is equally important to adopt new alternatives, innovations along with traditional agricultural practices.” Food is as important as oxygen and water. While oxygen and water are produced by our imaginary gods, food is produced by our living God, the farmer of India. Given the present-day scenario where every part of the economy is suffering due to corona virus pandemic, the agriculture sector needs immediate relief and relaxations.
In every aspect of life, novelty and modernisation is essential. Otherwise, it becomes a burden on us. The only solution to address these problems is to modernize the agricultural scenario in India. Adopting the Internet will help farmers discover new ways that have been unknown for years. It will give them an opportunity to alleviate the challenges that hinder crop growth and increase agricultural yield. The introduction of the latest farm equipment, such as tractors, front loaders, backhoes, and more, will help farmers increase their productivity. In addition to equipment, caring for crops is also important. On the other hand, using modern agriculture technologies often also means more environmentally friendly production. For example, using fewer pesticides means less polluted land, better soil and thus better quality yield and better farmers life and work conditions.
India’s agricultural policies have seen a major boost since the Modi government came to power in 2014 and decided to focus on doubling farmers’ income by 2022. The government has also set an ambitious food grains production target of 291.1 million tons for 2019-20, an increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year, citing a favourable monsoon in the current season.