Farmer
You may get relief from skyrocketing inflation in the new year. In fact, record production of food grains is expected in 2025. This will make food items cheaper which will provide relief to the common people from inflation. Let us tell you that due to favorable monsoon, India is ready to touch new heights in food grain production in 2025. However, significant challenges remain in pulses and oilseeds production, even as the country’s agriculture sector shows signs of strong recovery. Initial estimates from the agriculture ministry paint a favorable picture, with kharif (summer) food grain production projected to be a record 164.7 million tonnes for the 2024-25 crop year ending June 2025.
There was steady progress in crop sowing
There has been steady progress in winter crop sowing. Wheat has been sown in 2.93 crore hectares till mid-December, 2024, while the total Rabi (winter) crops are spread over 5.58 crore hectares. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi said that our Kharif crop was good due to normal rains. Overall, crop prospects for the entire year look promising, he said. However, he cautioned against a possible heat wave in February-March that could affect the winter wheat crop. The agriculture sector is expected to make a strong comeback, with its growth rate estimated at 3.5-4 percent in 2024-25, which was 1.4 percent in the last financial year. Agricultural economist S Mahendra Dev attributes the improvement to ‘good monsoon and increase in rural demand’. This increase comes despite crops being affected by floods and drought in parts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Climate change-induced weather anomalies have particularly affected onion and tomato yields in some areas. However, the path ahead is not easy.
Tension still persists on pulses and oilseeds
To address the persistent challenge of self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, the Government will launch the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) in 2025, for which a substantial budget of Rs 10,103 crore has been earmarked. The initiative aims to reduce import dependence through targeted interventions and increased support prices. The horticulture sector has shown remarkable progress. There has been record production of fruits and vegetables. The credit for this success goes to the acceptance of better agricultural practices and technology under various government schemes. The region is seeing increasing acceptance of technology, with drones and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered devices becoming popular. Ashish Doval, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), UPL Sustainable Agrisolutions, said that these innovations offer immense potential to increase productivity. The government’s flagship PM-Kisan scheme is providing vital assistance. Under this, an amount of more than Rs 3.46 lakh crore has been distributed to more than 11 crore farmers since its introduction in 2018.
Farmers’ unrest is a matter of concern
Seven new agriculture schemes announced in September 2024 are scheduled for full implementation in 2025. Their combined outlay is Rs 13,966 crore. The scope of these initiatives covers various aspects of agriculture including digital transformation, crop science, livestock health and natural resource management. However, farmer unrest remains a matter of concern, especially in Punjab and Haryana, where demands for a legal Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee and other reforms continue. A parliamentary committee has suggested doubling the PM-Kisan assistance to Rs 12,000 per beneficiary and implementing universal crop insurance for small farmers.
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