The agricultural sector, constituting 18–19% of India’s GDP while engaging nearly 65% of the workforce, faces challenges despite significant advancements in food grain production. As the government strives to augment agricultural production’s contribution to the GDP, a crucial imperative is the empowerment of farmers through education on modern technology and innovative techniques. Enhancing productivity and elevating profitability are pivotal in ensuring the sector’s sustainable growth and the well-being of those employed within it.
What Kind Of Modern Agricultural Development Practices Improve The Productivity Of Farmers?
The expansive scope of digital techniques and technology in agriculture has ushered in a new era of innovation, minimizing losses and enhancing overall efficiency. This technological evolution is a boon for farmers as the adoption of digital and analytic tools continues to drive ongoing improvements in agriculture. The sustained trend holds the promise of optimizing crop yields and contributing to the upliftment of the farming community by boosting income levels.
Source – https://www.smsfoundation.org/role-of-modern-technology-in-agriculture/
Here are some examples of
Innovative Agricultural Techniques to enhance the productivity of farmers:
Precision Farming: Utilize technology like GPS-guided tractors and drones for precise planting, irrigation, and harvesting, optimizing resource use and minimizing waste.
Vertical Farming: Grow crops in vertically stacked layers or inclined surfaces, often indoors, allowing year-round production and efficient space utilization.
Hydroponics and Aquaponics: Use soilless cultivation methods where plants grow in nutrient-rich water solutions; hydroponics focus on water-based systems, and aquaponics integrate fish farming.
Biological Pest Control: Use natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pests instead of relying on chemical pesticides to promote sustainable and eco-friendly farming.
Vertical Integration: Integrate various stages of the the farmers’ supply chain, from production to distribution, allowing better control over quality and costs.
Agroforestry: Integrate trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes to provide additional income through timber or fruit production and improve soil fertility.
Drip Irrigation: Practice efficient water delivery directly to the plant’s root zone to reduce water wastage and promote water-use efficiency.
These innovations contribute to sustainable agriculture development, increased yields, and improved resource management, ultimately enhancing the overall productivity of farmers.
However, the farmers need training to implement these techniques effectively and maximize their benefits.
That’s When This Rural Development NGO Steps In!
The Agricultural Development Program at the top sustainable rural development NGO in India, S M Sehgal Foundation, is dedicated to fostering sustainable livelihoods among farmers, particularly women producers. Through the promotion of improved agricultural practices and the adoption of modern techniques and cutting-edge technologies, the program aims to enhance crop yields, promote water conservation, and improve soil fertility.
Video Link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmFAT3YnJDs
Working closely with small-holder farmers in both rain-fed and irrigated areas, the team focuses on various aspects, including soil health management, crop production, input-use efficiency, small-farm mechanization, water-efficient irrigation techniques, horticultural development, livestock management, and the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in agriculture.
Farmer Field Schools: Nurturing Learning and Experimentation
In Northern India, farmers, particularly in Punjab, have a historical focus on cereal crops and pulses, stemming from the Green Revolution. S M Sehgal Foundation introduced “Farmer Field Schools” in 2020 to address mono-cropping and traditional farming methods. Akhlak and his father, Iqbal, were initially skeptical, but they embraced the initiative and saw remarkable results. The Field Schools, tailored for the Trans-Gangetic plains, incorporate advanced practices like polyhouses, solar spray pumps, and drip irrigation. In January 2023, Akhlak’s farm showcased 1.5 times higher yields in tomatoes, breaking notions of vegetable farming losses. The success attracted more than 314 farmers from nearby villages, fostering knowledge exchange. Akhlak used his increased income for education and land repayment, reinvesting in future cycles for sustained prosperity.
Jaurasi Farmer Adopts Sustainable High-Value Broccoli Cultivation
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I will continue sustainable broccoli farming in more areas of my land and encourage other farmers to grow high-value crops sustainably.
~ Pradeep Singh, farmer from Jaurasi village, Nuh district, Haryana
Pradeep Singh, a dedicated farmer from Jaurasi village in Haryana’s Nuh district, relies on farming as his family’s primary income source. Cultivating wheat, mustard, millet, and vegetables on their five-acre land, he needed more than traditional methods to generate significant profits.
In April 2022, a transformative opportunity arose under an ongoing CSR-supported initiative by S M Sehgal Foundation. Pradeep embraced sustainable broccoli farming, a novel intervention discussed during a Village Development Committee session in September 2022. Selected for the project, he received broccoli seeds, essential micronutrients, and comprehensive training.
Pradeep’s commitment yielded a bountiful harvest of 2,500 kg of broccoli, translating to approximately INR 70,000 in total sales. With a cultivation cost of INR 15,000, his net profit soared to INR 55,000, showcasing a remarkable income, doubling that of traditional crops like mustard or wheat.
About the Author
Mr. Shashank Devra
Program lead, Local Participation and Sustainability, S M Sehgal Foundation
Postgraduate diploma (Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal) with 8 years of experience in specializing in development management, project management, financial inclusion, community-based organizations development and management, stakeholder management, micro-enterprise development, women empowerment and development, and youth empowerment.
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