GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Indian Agriculture
Source: TH
Context: The article highlights the challenges associated with making agricultural commodity value chains sustainable. It identifies four dimensions that make mitigating environmental impacts a difficult task
Meaning of agri-commodity value chains:
Agri-commodity value chains refer to the entire process of production, processing, distribution, and consumption of agricultural commodities, from farm to fork.
“Making Agri-commodity value chains sustainable” means the practice of ensuring that the agricultural value chain minimizes negative environmental and social impacts while promoting long-term economic viability.
Need of making agri-commodity value chains sustainable:
Making agri-commodity value chains sustainable is essential to protect the environment, ensure long-term agricultural productivity, meet consumer demands, address global sustainability challenges, promote stakeholder accountability, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The challenges of ensuring sustainability in agricultural commodity value chains:
| Challenges | Examples |
| Market and producer Related | E.g., uncertain Export policies; adverse WTO norms influencing Indian farmers; uncertain MSP by the government |
| Production related | The production process, including land-use strategies, seed quality, and input usage, varies across different commodities. Lack of specific intervention by farmers suited to the specific production systems, such as intensive or extensive agriculture or agroforestry, leads to low yield. |
| Weak policies | Weak governance mechanisms, subsidies, market access, and infrastructural support for Indian agriculture |
| Marginalized farmers | Poor Working conditions for marginalized tenants, almost no labour rights, and inequity for Indian farmers |
Few Government Initiatives for sustainable agriculture:
| Scheme | Objective |
| Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana | Promote organic farming |
| National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) | Promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, integrated farming systems, etc. |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana | Improve water use efficiency in agriculture |
| Soil Health Card Scheme | Encourage balanced and judicious use of fertilizers |
| National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) | Promote sustainable production of oilseeds and oil palm |
| National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) | Create a unified national market for agricultural commodities |
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) | Develop agri-processing clusters and infrastructure to increase value addition and reduce post-harvest losses |
What should be done:
The production process, including land-use strategies and inputs, varies across commodities, requiring tailored interventions. Strong governance mechanisms and policies, including subsidies and regulations, can support sustainable value chains. Additionally, an inclusive approach is necessary, considering working conditions, labour rights, equity, and the effects of the climate crisis on production.
Conclusion:
There is a need to address the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability in the context of agricultural production, processing, and distribution.
Insta Links
Food Processing and Supply-chain management
Mains Links:
Examine the role of supermarkets in the supply chain management of fruits, vegetables, and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries? ( UPSC 2018).
