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@article{176867,
        author = {Dr.chintha Yellasawmy},
        title = {INDIAN AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS – PROBLEMS AND REFORMS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {11},
        pages = {6357-6363},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=176867},
        abstract = {Agriculture has historically been the backbone of India's economy, supporting the livelihood of the majority of its population. Once revered, the role of the farmer has diminished in social status due to modern economic pressures, societal neglect, and a lack of support. Many farmers now face discouragement, poverty, and even suicide due to crop failures and a shift in focus from eco-friendly to profit-driven, industrial farming methods. Despite these challenges, a few innovative farmers continue to adopt new techniques, showing resilience and selflessness by sharing their findings.
Agriculture remains vital, contributing 16% to India’s GDP and employing over half of the population. It provides the raw materials for several agro-based industries and plays a major role in exports. However, Indian agriculture faces numerous systemic challenges: subsistence farming, population pressure, low productivity, outdated techniques, rain dependency, lack of education and research outreach, and weak government policies. Problems such as low land fertility, high indebtedness, and the disinterest of youth further hinder agricultural progress.
To improve Indian agriculture, a balanced approach is needed—one that promotes eco-friendly, profitable practices, enhances education and research dissemination, ensures fair pricing and land reforms, and prioritizes infrastructural support. In recent years, the government has introduced a suite of initiatives including E-NAM, PMKSY, PKVY, PMFBY, PM-KISAN, and PM-Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana to address irrigation, insurance, sustainability, and farmer welfare. State-level programs like Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu and nationwide farm mechanization efforts aim to enhance productivity and support smallholders.},
        keywords = {Agriculture, Indian economy, Farmers, Crop yield, Eco-friendly farming, Modern techniques, Population growth, Farmer suicides, Irrigation, Land fertility, Farm mechanization, Sustainable farming, Crop insurance, Farmer welfare, Agricultural challenges, Policy reforms.},
        month = {April},
        }