According to the 2021 Periodic Labour Force Survey Report, over 45 per cent of the workforce depends on agriculture for their livelihood, making it one of the biggest sources of employment in the country

Author – Rinika Grover, Global Head Sustainability and CSR – Apollo Tyres Ltd

India’s agricultural sector faces a complex set of challenges. According to the 2021 Periodic Labour Force Survey Report, over 45 per cent of the workforce depends on agriculture for their livelihood, making it one of the biggest sources of employment in the country. Smallholder farmers represent a significant portion of this workforce. However, while agriculture supports over 250 million farmers and labourers, its share of national income is shrinking – an alarming trend. Several factors contribute to this decline, including rising debt burdens, deteriorating soil health, and inadequate resources to cope with increasingly erratic weather patterns. These challenges have driven farmers to secure livelihoods and adapt to a changing environment.

Declining crop yields often drive farmers to rely more heavily on chemical fertilizers. While these fertilizers may appear as a quick solution, they harm soil health and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, further exacerbating climate change.

Transitioning away from chemical utilisation is not a straightforward process. Although organic farming is often seen as an ideal alternative, the pursuit of higher yields leads farmers to resort to quick return solutions by using pesticides and chemical fertilizers that contaminates soil quality and disrupts natural biodiversity. That said, in India, organic farming is gaining momentum with a growing number of farmers embracing these sustainable practices. The state of Sikkim, a pioneer in this domain, has setup a remarkable precedent by adopting organic farming, paving the path for other States like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and others to follow suit. A recent report on Green Revolution 2.0: India’s Organic Farming Revolution highlights that over 4.7 million hectares of land in India are dedicated to organic farming. Farmers employ a variety of techniques for soil management, some of which are neem-coated urea and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which helps reduce groundwater pollution and improves soil health.

For a nation where agriculture employs nearly half the population, adopting sustainable, climate-resilient techniques seems like a potential solution. But the question remains: how effective are these approaches in practice and what other solutions might be needed in order for farming to remain a viable source of employment?

Dahod and Kottayam: Success Stories in Crop Diversification
A recent field visit to Dahod, a tribal belt in Gujarat, provided valuable insights. For over 15 years, several well-established organisations have supported more than 50,000 farmers across 203 remote villages in the region. Maize, the region’s staple crop, had experienced a declining yield. To address this, a Maize Stabilisation project was introduced to improve its productivity by increasing its varieties and making the crop drought resilient . The project also included raising awareness and encouraging farmers to diversify into producing other high-value crops to increase their income.

This transition from traditional staple crops like maize to high-value alternatives such as strawberries, vegetables, and floriculture led to a remarkable 70 per cent increase in average annual farm household income in the last 5 years. Floriculture, in particular, thrived under the region’s climatic conditions, becoming a major success story.

In addition to crop diversification, the region has embraced renewable energy by installing solar-powered mini-irrigation systems. These systems symbolize the growing awareness of climate change, even in some of India’s most remote areas. It was fascinating to observe that approximately 20 per cent of 5000 farmers in the Limkheda belt rely on solar power for their irrigation needs. Innovative solutions like solar insect traps, which use solar panels to combat moth infestations, further demonstrate the region’s commitment to sustainable farming practices.

The success story of Dahod finds a parallel in the rubber plantations of Kottayam, Kerala, which was our next stop during a project visit. Rubber plantations in this region face several challenges, including fluctuating rubber prices, labour shortages, and declining tree productivity due to climate change. To address this, multi-cropping is being extensively promoted as a strategy to sustain soil health and boost production. The vast green plantations now feature a mix of shade-tolerant crops like pineapple, ginger and cardamom interplanted with young rubber trees. This approach provides farmer with an additional income until the rubber canopy matures, and farmers can commence tapping.

These case studies illustrate the evolving landscape of Indian agriculture. The traditional dominance of monoculture is gradually being replaced by diversified farming systems featuring high-yielding crops. This transition not only enhances farm incomes but also builds resilience against climate change as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges faced in different regions and tailor solutions accordingly. With continued investment in innovation, education, and infrastructure, India can pave the way towards a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural future.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BW Businessworld, its management, or its members.