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GS Paper: Agriculture and related issues

  • Where fossil fuel shocks hurt India’s farmers

    Why in the News?

    India’s agricultural system is facing a structural vulnerability as rising global fossil fuel disruptions are directly impacting fertiliser availability, diesel prices, and farm mechanisation. While the Green Revolution ensured food security, it also locked Indian agriculture into fossil fuel-dependent inputs. Strikingly, tractor numbers have surged from 5,000 (1946-47) to over 12 million, while draught animal power collapsed to just 2.3%. This exposes how deeply “fossilisation” has replaced traditional resilience. With India importing key fertiliser inputs and relying heavily on global energy markets, even distant crises (e.g., West Asia disruptions) now threaten domestic food security, making this a systemic and growing risk.

    How has Indian agriculture transitioned from traditional to fossil-fuel dependence?

    1. De-bullockisation: Decline of draught animals from 80.8 million (1972) to 34.8 million (2019); reduced reliance on animal power.
    2. Mechanisation surge: Tractor numbers increased to 12 million, replacing manual and animal labour.
    3. Energy transition: Farm power shifted from animal-based to mechanical (1991-92) and later to electrical dominance.
    4. Irrigation shift: Replacement of Persian wheels with diesel/electric pumps.
    5. Outcome: Ensures higher productivity but increases dependence on fossil energy.

    Why is fertiliser production highly vulnerable to fossil fuel shocks?

    1. Feedstock dependence: Natural gas serves as primary input for nitrogen fertilisers.
    2. Import reliance: India imports ammonia, urea inputs, and phosphatic fertilisers.
    3. Input linkage: Naphtha and petroleum derivatives used in fertiliser production.
    4. Supply chain exposure: Strait of Hormuz disruptions affect fertiliser imports.
    5. Outcome: Creates direct linkage between global energy markets and domestic food security.

    How did the Green Revolution embed fossil fuel dependency?

    1. Input-intensive farming: Heavy reliance on chemical fertilisers like urea, DAP, MOP.
    2. Crop protection chemicals: Increased use of pesticides derived from petrochemicals.
    3. High-yield varieties: Require intensive fertiliser and irrigation inputs.
    4. NPK consumption rise: 32.9 million tonnes, dominated by urea and DAP.
    5. Outcome: Ensures foodgrain surplus but increases systemic vulnerability.

    What are the macroeconomic and food security implications?

    1. Imported inflation: Rising energy prices increase fertiliser and diesel costs.
    2. Subsidy burden: Government faces fiscal pressure due to fertiliser subsidies.
    3. Supply shocks: Export restrictions by major suppliers (e.g., China) worsen shortages.
    4. Price volatility: Global conflicts trigger domestic input cost spikes
    5. Outcome: Weakens agricultural resilience and threatens price stability.

    How has farm power composition changed over time?

    1. 1961-62: Total power ~39.99 million kW (animal-dominated).
    2. 1991-92: Mechanical power overtakes animate sources.
    3. 2024-25: Total power reaches 550.82 million kW, with electrical dominance.
    4. Decline of animals: Share reduced to 2.3% of total farm power.
    5. Outcome: Strengthens efficiency but eliminates traditional buffers.

    What are the emerging risks from fossil fuel dependence in agriculture?

    1. Geopolitical risk: Conflicts disrupt fertiliser and fuel supply chains.
    2. Environmental stress: Chemical-intensive farming degrades soil health.
    3. Energy insecurity: High import dependence increases vulnerability.
    4. Farmer distress: Rising input costs reduce profitability.
    5. Outcome: Creates long-term sustainability concerns.

    Conclusion

    India’s agricultural success is structurally tied to fossil fuel-based inputs. Future resilience requires diversification toward renewable energy, organic inputs, and reduced import dependence.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] “What are the main factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?”

    Linkage: It examines the input-intensive Green Revolution model and its sustainability concerns. The article shows how fossil fuel dependence has made this model vulnerable to global shocks.

  • National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture NICRA

    Why in News

    Government released data under National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture NICRA showing 310 districts vulnerable to climate change and expansion of climate resilient farming technologies across India.

    About NICRA

    • Implemented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR
    • Objective: Climate resilient agriculture and food security
    • Focus:
      • Climate risk assessment
      • Adaptation technologies
      • Farmer capacity building
      • Climate resilient crop varieties

    Key Findings

    Climate Risk Assessment

    • Total districts assessed: 651 agricultural districts
    • Vulnerable districts: 310 districts
      • Very high vulnerability: 109 districts
      • High vulnerability: 201 districts
    • Assessment based on IPCC protocols

    District Agriculture Contingency Plans

    • Prepared for 651 districts
    • Aim:
      • Handle extreme weather
      • Recommend climate resilient crops
      • Provide location specific farming practices

    Climate Resilient Villages

    • 448 Climate Resilient Villages
    • Located in 151 vulnerable districts
    • Implemented through Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs

    Crop Variety Development

    • 2900 crop varieties released during 2014 to 2024
    • 2661 varieties climate tolerant
    • Resistant to: Drought, Flood, Heat, and Pests

    Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras

    • Total KVKs: 731
    • Farmers trained: 18.56 lakh
    • Promote climate resilient technologies

    Use of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

    Kisane Mitra AI Chatbot

    • Voice based AI
    • Supports 11 languages
    • Handles 20,000 queries daily
    • Total responses: 95 lakh queries

    Bharat VISTAAR Platform

    • AI powered advisory platform
    • Provides:
      • Weather updates
      • Market rates
      • Scheme information
    • 24×7 AI assistant Bharati
    • Currently supports Hindi and English

    National Pest Surveillance System

    • Uses AI and Machine Learning
    • Covers:
      • 61 crops
      • 400 pests
    • Used by 10,000 extension workers

    Kisan Sarathi Platform

    • Digital advisory platform
    • Registered farmers: 2.75 crore
    • Coverage: 3.43 lakh villages
    [2021] In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1 The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research program. 2 The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), headquartered in France. 3 The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centers. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3

  • Rice & Wheat Procurement Shortfall  

    Why in the News

    • A Parliamentary Standing Committee headed by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi raised concerns over consistently low procurement of rice and wheat compared to estimates. 

    Key Findings

    1. Persistent Gap

    • Since 2022-23: Procurement < 30% of total production
    • Wheat procurement (as % of estimates):
      • 2023-24: 76.7%
      • 2024-25: 71.3%
      • 2025-26: 87.3%

    2. State-Level Shortfalls

    • Rice (Kharif 2024-25): Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab below targets
    • Wheat (Rabi 2025-26): Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh below targets

    Reasons for Low Procurement

    • Production fluctuations
    • Market surplus availability
    • Minimum Support Price (MSP) vs market price
    • Demand-supply conditions
    • Participation of private traders

    Committee Concerns

    • Gap between: Estimated procurement vs actual procurement
    • Indicates: Weak planning and coordination

    Recommendations

    1. Strengthen Procurement Planning

    • Improve estimation methods
    • Make targets more realistic

    2. Better Centre-State Coordination

    • Focus on: States with repeated shortfalls

    3. Real-Time Monitoring

    • Track: Production and Market arrivals

    4. Improve Procurement Efficiency

    • Ensure: Timely and effective procurement operations
    [2020] Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? 
    1. Minimum Support Price Government’s trading 
    2. Government’s stockpiling Consumer subsidies 
    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 
    (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Supreme Court Urges Crop Diversification Towards Pulses

    Why in the News

    The Supreme Court of India asked the Union Government to reconsider agricultural policies and encourage farmers to shift from wheat and paddy cultivation to pulses.

    Key Observations by the Court

    • A Bench headed by Surya Kant stressed the need for agricultural diversification, particularly in North India where paddy cultivation dominates.
    • The Court noted that excessive cultivation of paddy may not be necessary except for export needs, and land could instead be used for pulses.

    Directions to the Government

    1. Review the policy framework to promote pulse cultivation.
    2. Convene a meeting of stakeholders, including experts and farmer representatives.
    3. Address issues affecting pulse farmers such as:
      • Lack of adequate Minimum Support Price (MSP) incentives.
      • Ensuring guaranteed and timely procurement of pulses.
      • Fixing the cost price of imported yellow peas so imports do not harm domestic producers.

    Relevant ministries expected to participate include:

    • Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
    • Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    • Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution

    Context

    • The case was filed by the farmers’ organisation Kisan Mahapanchayat, which sought restrictions on yellow pea imports to protect domestic pulse farmers.

    Significance

    • Promoting pulses could:
      • Improve soil health through nitrogen fixation.
      • Reduce water-intensive paddy cultivation.
      • Enhance India’s nutritional security, as pulses are a major protein source.
      • Reduce dependence on pulse imports.
    [2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements: Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • [7th March 2026] The Hindu OpED: Right, justice, action for India’s women farmers

    PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women’s empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation?Linkage: The article highlights structural barriers faced by women farmers such as lack of land ownership, credit access, and institutional recognition, demonstrating why gender-sensitive policy design in agriculture and food systems is essential.

    Mentor’s Comment

    International Women’s Day 2026 coincides with the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This places a renewed global attention on the structural exclusion of women from land ownership, agricultural decision-making, and food systems governance. Despite constituting a significant share of the agricultural workforce in India, women farmers remain largely invisible in policy and institutional frameworks. There is a contradiction between women’s central role in food production and their marginal access to land, credit, technology, and nutrition security. Addressing gender inequalities in agriculture is essential for improving food security, nutrition outcomes, and climate-resilient farming systems.

    Why does the issue of women farmers demand urgent attention today?

    1. International recognition: International Women’s Day 2026 aligns with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, emphasising gender equality in global food systems.
    2. Policy-practice gap: Legal reforms providing equal inheritance rights for daughters have not translated into land ownership for women due to social norms and administrative barriers.
    3. Invisible farmers: Women who manage farms and negotiate with labourers often lack legal recognition as farmers, limiting access to credit, crop insurance, irrigation schemes, and extension services.
    4. Structural exclusion: Eligibility for government agricultural schemes remains linked to land ownership, which is largely held by men.
    5. Nutritional paradox: Women who produce food frequently lack diverse and nutritious diets, with rural diets dominated by cereals and limited access to pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods.

    How do land ownership patterns restrict women’s participation in agriculture?

    1. Patriarchal inheritance: Land titles remain concentrated in male ownership due to patrilineal inheritance practices.
    2. Administrative barriers: Limited awareness, bureaucratic hurdles, and social resistance prevent women’s names from appearing in land records.
    3. Institutional exclusion: Lack of land titles restricts women’s access to institutional credit, crop insurance, irrigation schemes, and agricultural extension services.
    4. Weak bargaining power: Absence of legal ownership reduces women’s influence in agricultural decision-making and market negotiations.
    5. Asset deprivation: Women farmers often cultivate land without formal ownership, creating vulnerability in cases of displacement, widowhood, or marital conflict.

    Does the feminisation of agriculture translate into empowerment?

    1. Labour shift: Male migration has increased women’s role in cultivation, household food provisioning, and farm management.
    2. Workload intensification: Women experience dual burdens of productive agricultural labour and reproductive household responsibilities.
    3. Limited mechanisation: Lack of access to labour-saving technologies increases drudgery and health risks.
    4. Health consequences: Women with heavy workloads, particularly during peak agricultural seasons, face micronutrient deficiencies and health stress.
    5. Intergenerational effects: Maternal undernutrition contributes to low birth weight and poor child development outcomes.

    Why are nutrition outcomes among women farmers still poor?

    1. Cereal-dominated diets: Rural diets remain focused on rice and wheat, with limited consumption of nutrient-dense foods.
    2. Persistent anaemia: High prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age represents a major public health concern.
    3. Intergenerational malnutrition: Maternal undernutrition increases risks of child stunting and developmental deficits.
    4. Food security paradox: Women responsible for producing food often lack control over household nutrition choices.

    How effective are India’s food security programmes in addressing gender inequality?

    1. Food security framework: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) guarantees subsidised cereals and nutritional support for pregnant women and children.
    2. Supplementary nutrition: Nutrition programmes include maternal entitlements and supplementary feeding through Anganwadis.
    3. State innovations: Some states promote millets, fortified staples, and local foods within food distribution systems.
    4. Implementation gaps: Nutrition outcomes remain uneven due to weak programme integration and limited focus on diet diversity.
    5. Digital exclusion: Digitalisation of welfare systems can exclude women with poor connectivity, documentation gaps, or limited digital literacy.

    What structural reforms are required to strengthen women’s agricultural rights?

    1. Land rights reform: Implementation of equal inheritance laws and promotion of joint spousal land titles.
    2. Gender-sensitive governance: Ensuring gender-responsive land registration systems and inclusion of women in resource management institutions.
    3. Collective institutions: Strengthening women’s collectives and self-help groups to improve bargaining power and access to resources.
    4. Policy recognition: Adopting the National Policy for Farmers definition, which recognises farmers based on agricultural activity rather than land ownership.
    5. Data visibility: Generating gender-disaggregated agricultural data to inform policy design.

    How can women farmers drive climate-resilient agriculture and food security?

    1. Technology access: Ensuring access to climate-resilient technologies and agricultural extension services.
    2. Knowledge empowerment: Training women farmers in sustainable farming practices and resource management.
    3. Labour-saving tools: Adoption of drudgery-reducing technologies improves productivity and health outcomes.
    4. Community initiatives: Promotion of kitchen gardens, women’s seed banks, and local food planning.
    5. Institutional support: Strengthening linkages between agriculture, nutrition systems, and social protection programmes.

    Conclusion

    Achieving gender equality in agriculture requires recognition of women as farmers with full rights to land, resources, technology, and decision-making. Strengthening women’s agency in agri-food systems enhances agricultural productivity, improves household nutrition, and strengthens climate resilience. Integrating land reforms, nutrition policies, and institutional support can transform women farmers into central actors of sustainable rural development.

  • Why key to coconut cultivation today is sustainability, not productivity

    Why in the News?

    The Union Budget 2026-27 announced a Coconut Promotion Scheme focused on raising productivity through high-yielding varieties. This comes despite projections of a 1.6-2.1°C temperature rise by 2050 (up to 3.2°C by 2070), which may render large parts of peninsular India less suitable for coconut cultivation. The issue signals a shift from yield expansion to climate-resilient sustainability in plantation policy.

    What is the Status of Coconut Cultivation in India?

    1. Global Position: India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coconuts.
    2. Productivity Levels: Per-palm productivity in India exceeds that of Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
    3. Geographical Spread: Major cultivation concentrated in Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with expansion into Gujarat, Assam, and other non-traditional regions.
    4. Western Coast Belt: Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and western Tamil Nadu remain core high-temperature resilience zones.
    5. Emerging Vulnerabilities: Interior Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the east coast face projected climatic unsuitability.
    6. Price Trend: Domestic coconut prices have remained higher than international prices since 2024, affecting competitiveness.

    What Are the Major Coconut Policies and Schemes in India?

    1. Coconut Development Board (CDB) Schemes
      1. Replanting and Rejuvenation: Replaces senile and diseased palms.
      2. Area Expansion: Promotes cultivation in non-traditional states.
      3. Productivity Support: Distributes improved and hybrid seedlings.
      4. Market Linkages: Facilitates branding and export promotion.
    2. Coconut Promotion Scheme (2026-27)
      1. Garden Revitalisation: Targets old and unproductive plantations.
      2. High-Yield Varieties: Enhances productivity through improved planting material.
      3. Coastal Expansion: Supports new plantations in coastal regions.
    3. Technology Mission on Coconut
      1. Integrated Approach: Covers production, processing, and marketing.
      2. Value Addition: Supports coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and coir units.
    4. Cluster Development Programme (NHB)
      1. Cluster-Based Development: Strengthens aggregation, processing, and market access.
    5. Support under National Missions
      1. MIDH/NMSA Linkages: Provides irrigation, sustainability, and infrastructure support.

    Why is Productivity-Centric Policy Inadequate for Coconut Cultivation?

    1. Yield Plateau: India already records higher per-palm productivity than Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Further yield push offers limited marginal gains.
    2. Price Distortion: Domestic coconut prices remain above international prices since 2024, limiting export competitiveness.
    3. Climate Risk Escalation: Temperature rise of 1.6-2.1°C by 2050 and up to 3.2°C by 2070 increases vapour pressure deficit and drought stress.
    4. Disease Vulnerability: Root wilt disease has devastated districts like Alappuzha and Pollachi.
    5. Regional Unsuitability: Interior peninsular regions may become climatically unsuitable in coming decades.

    How Does Climate Change Threaten Coconut Geography in India?

    1. Temperature Sensitivity: Coconut is sensitive to heat stress during flowering and nut development stages.
    2. Western Ghats Buffer: Current cultivation belt in Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and western Tamil Nadu benefits from moderated temperatures.
    3. Interior Risk Zones: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Tamil Nadu show vulnerability under climate projections.
    4. East Coast Stress: Cyclones and salinity intrusion increase risk in eastern coastal regions.
    5. Vapour Pressure Deficit Rise: Intensifies moisture stress even when rainfall levels appear stable.

    Why Must the Scheme Prioritise Climate-Resilient Varieties?

    1. Heat-Tolerant Genotypes: Ensures long-term viability under rising temperature regimes.
    2. Drought-Resistant Varieties: Supports survival under irregular rainfall and groundwater depletion
    3. Disease-Resistant Strains: Reduces root wilt and pathogen vulnerability.
    4. Regional Customisation: East coast requires climate-resilient varieties; west coast requires wilt-tolerant strains.
    5. Research Integration: State universities and ICAR institutions possess breeding capacity for resilient genotypes.

    What Structural and Institutional Failures Limit Current Schemes?

    1. Input Subsidy Bias: Focus remains on free biological inputs rather than structural farm transformation.
    2. Low-Quality Inputs: Distribution-based schemes often reduce soil microbial viability.
    3. Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Exclusion: High compliance norms prevent meaningful farmer producer organisation participation.
    4. Capital Subsidy Fragmentation: Coconut Development Board (CDB) offers 25% capital subsidy for value addition, but variation across schemes causes confusion.
    5. Implementation Gaps: Cluster Development Programme of NHB remains under-implemented due to investment barriers.

    Why Are Cooperative and Cluster Models Critical?

    Cooperative and Cluster Models are institutional mechanisms that aggregate farmers geographically or organisationally to enable collective production, processing, value addition, and marketing, thereby ensuring scale efficiency, bargaining power, and income stability.

    1. Vertical Integration: Links production, value addition, and marketing.
    2. Cooperative Precedent: Models like AMUL demonstrate scale-based efficiency and farmer ownership.
    3. Processing Stability: Encourages long-duration procurement and price stabilisation.
    4. Market Diversification: Expands into coconut oil, tender coconut, desiccated coconut, coir products.
    5. Risk Sharing Mechanism: Reduces individual farmer exposure to climate and price shocks.

    How Should Policy Shift from Expansion to Sustainability?

    1. Direct Benefit Transfers: Empowers farmer-led decision-making on irrigation, soil amendments, labour.
    2. Small Pilot Projects: Generates ground-level feedback before scaling.
    3. Climate Mapping: Aligns plantation zones with projected climate suitability.
    4. Integrated Funding: Aligns Coconut Promotion Scheme with Cluster Development Programme.
    5. Institutional Voice Inclusion: Incorporates farmer consultation to reflect ground realities.

    Conclusion

    Productivity enhancement alone cannot secure the future of coconut cultivation under rising climate stress. Policy design must shift from input subsidies and area expansion to climate-resilient varieties, water-use efficiency, institutional integration, and cooperative value-chain development. A sustainability-centred framework is essential to ensure long-term farmer income stability and agro-ecological viability.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2017] How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of the crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?

    Linkage: This question is relevant to GS 3 (Agriculture) as it examines how subsidies shape cropping patterns and farmer incomes, and the role of insurance, MSP, and food processing in income security. It links to the coconut policy debate by highlighting the need to shift from input subsidies to climate resilience and value-chain development.

  • Cassava Harvest in Punjab Signals Shift Beyond Paddy

    Why in the News

    • An experimental cultivation of cassava on three acres in Malsian village, Jalandhar, has yielded promising results, signalling Punjab’s push toward crop diversification and water saving alternatives to paddy.
    • The initiative involved scientists from the ICAR Central Tuber Crops Research Institute and experts from Punjab Agricultural University.

    What is Cassava?

    • Scientific name: Manihot esculenta
    • Native to South America
    • Widely cultivated in Africa and South India
    • Gluten free tuber crop
    • High starch content
    • India currently grows cassava mainly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

    Why Punjab is Exploring Cassava?

    • Water Crisis

        • Cassava requires nearly one tenth the water used for paddy.
        • Only first two months need irrigation.
        • Highly drought tolerant.

    • Climate Resilience

        • Tolerates dry conditions.
        • Tubers can remain in soil after maturity without rotting.
        • Suitable if sown in early March in Punjab conditions.

    • Economic Returns

      • Yield reported: about 250 quintals per acre green weight.
      • Estimated income: ₹2.5 to ₹2.6 lakh per acre.
      • Compared to wheat plus paddy: about ₹90,000 per acre.
    [2025] Consider the following pairs: Plant: Description 

    I. Cassava: Woody shrub 

    II. Ginger: Herb with pseudostem 

    III. Malabar spinach: Herbaceous climber 

    IV. Mint: Annual shrub 

    V. Papaya: Woody shrub 

    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched? 

    (a) Only two   (b) Only three   (c) Only four   (d) All the five

  • District Cooling as a Climate and Urban Solution for India

    Why in the News?

    With rising temperatures, prolonged heatwaves and increasing air conditioner use, experts are advocating district cooling systems as an energy efficient solution aligned with India’s climate and urban planning goals.

    What is District Cooling?

    • A centralised cooling system that supplies chilled water from one large plant to multiple buildings through insulated underground pipes.
    • Instead of each building installing separate chillers:
      • A central plant produces chilled water at 6 to 7°C.
      • Water circulates to buildings and absorbs indoor heat.
      • Returns at 12 to 14°C to be cooled again.
    • It works like a public utility similar to piped gas or electricity.
    [2010] What is the principle by which a cooling system (Radiator) in a motor car works? (a) Conduction only 

    (b) Convection 

    (c) Radiation only 

    (d) Both conduction and radiation

  • [13th February 2026] The Hindu OpED: Farmers’ pulse: On India and its demand for pulses

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2017] Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International year of Pulses by the United Nations.

    Linkage: It links to the pulses debate as it highlights their nutritional, ecological, and income-support role, strengthening arguments for procurement reform and crop diversification.

    Mentor’s Comment

    Pulses policy reflects a structural tension between consumer price stabilization and farmer income security. Weak procurement architecture, import dependence, and trade commitments intersect with federal politics and food security imperatives.

    Why in the News?

    India’s pulses policy is back in focus after reports of possible import commitments under a trade deal with the United States. This appears to clash with the government’s Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, raising fresh concerns among farmers about the gap between self-reliance goals and trade decisions.

    Why Are Pulses Crucial to India’s Food and Farm Economy?

    1. Protein Dependence: Pulses supply nearly 25% of non-cereal protein intake.
    2. Livelihood Base: Around five crore farmers depend on pulse cultivation.
    3. Persistent Demand Gap: Production ~2.5 crore tonnes; demand ~3 crore tonnes; imports fill deficit.
    4. Food Security Linkage: Dependence on imports exposes vulnerability to global price fluctuations.

    How Do Imports Create Immediate Market Distortions?

    1. Centralized Decision Impact: A single central decision to import can immediately lower domestic prices.
    2. Household Spending Relief: Imports reduce consumer expenditure when supply is tight.
    3. Farmer Income Shock: Price depression directly hurts domestic producers.
    4. Market Absorption Constraint: Domestic markets cannot always absorb “extra” supply, worsening price collapse.
    5. Political Sensitivity: Trade commitments perceived as favouring foreign producers revive post-2020 protest anxieties.

    Why Is the Procurement Regime Considered Structurally Weak?

    1. Limited Coverage: Procurement under the Price Support Scheme ranged between 2.9%-12.4% (2019-24).
    2. MSP Without Guarantee: Absence of reliable procurement undermines MSP credibility compared to rice and wheat.
    3. Organised Neglect: Weak procurement mechanisms, cereal bias, and institutional design collectively marginalize pulses.
    4. Distress Sales: Inadequate procurement centres force farmers to sell below MSP to private traders.
    5. Investment Disincentive: Uncertain returns discourage productivity-enhancing investments.

    What Structural Constraints Affect Pulse Cultivation?

    1. Rain-fed Cultivation: Pulses largely grown in rain-fed regions, increasing climate risk.
    2. Lower Yields: Productivity remains below international competitors.
    3. Underinvestment Cycle: Weak price assurance leads to low investment, perpetuating low yields.

    What Does the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses Seek to Achieve?

    1. Financial Allocation: ₹11,440 crore outlay.
    2. Area Expansion: Target of 310 lakh hectares.
    3. Production Goal: 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.
    4. Strategic Objective: Reduce import dependence and achieve self-sufficiency.
    5. Credibility Challenge: Past unfulfilled promises create farmer scepticism.
    6. Policy Contradiction Risk: Import commitments contradict mission objectives.

    Why Does This Issue Trigger Political Sensitivity?

    1. Farm Protest Context: Post 2020-21 protests, trade and agri-reform decisions face scrutiny.
    2. Federal Dimension: Central trade decisions affect state-level agriculture.
    3. Trust Deficit: Perception of favouring foreign producers undermines domestic policy legitimacy.
    4. Food Security Vulnerability: Continued import dependence sustains long-term strategic risk.

    Way Forward

    1. Stronger Procurement: Expand procurement centres in pulse-growing areas to ensure MSP reaches farmers and reduce distress sales.
    2. MSP Credibility: Ensure timely and predictable procurement to build farmer confidence and encourage investment.
    3. Stable Import Policy: Align imports with domestic production cycles to prevent sudden price crashes.
    4. Higher Productivity: Promote improved seeds, irrigation support, and climate-resilient varieties to raise yields.
    5. Crop Diversification: Reduce policy bias toward rice and wheat and incentivise pulses through procurement and subsidies.

    Conclusion

    Pulses policy reflects the tension between consumer price stability and farmer income security. Import dependence without strong procurement weakens domestic incentives and deepens vulnerability. Long-term food security requires credible MSP implementation, higher productivity, and a trade policy aligned with self-reliance goals.

  • Water Bankruptcy and Global Agriculture

    Why in the News?

    A recent UN report titled Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post Crisis Era, released by United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health on 20 January 2026, warns that the world has entered a phase of global water bankruptcy, severely impacting agriculture and food security.

    What is Water Bankruptcy?

    • A condition where long term water use exceeds renewable inflows and safe depletion limits
    • Agriculture is no longer facing a temporary water crisis but operating beyond hydrological sustainability
    • Rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils and glaciers damaged beyond realistic recovery

    Key Findings of the Report

    • Agriculture and Water Use: ~70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals used for agriculture.Expansion of agricultural land is no longer viable
    • Scale of Exposure:~3 billion people live in areas with declining or unstable water storage. More than half of global food production located in water stressed regions. 170 million hectares of irrigated cropland under high or very high water stress.
    • Land and Soil Degradation: Over 50 percent of global agricultural land moderately or severely degraded. Global salinisation has degraded. 82 million hectares of rainfed cropland. 24 million hectares of irrigated cropland. Accelerates desertification and reduces soil moisture retention.
    [2021] Among the following, which one is the least water efficient crop? 

    (a) Sugarcane 

    (b) Sunflower 

    (c) Pearl millet 

    (d) Red gram