[ Day 32 – Synopsis ] 75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2023 – Indian Economy & Ethics

Indian Economy

Syllabus: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers; Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. Land reforms in India.

Q1. Enumerate the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in accessing credit, technology, and market opportunities in India? (10M)

Introduction

Small and marginal farmers make up the bulk of the Indian agricultural economy by contributing 51 per cent of total agricultural output and 70 per cent of high value crops with 46 per cent of operational land holdings. However, this stratum of agricultural community is still deprived of advanced technology taking agriculture in future, institutional credit and modern market arrangements.

Body:

Challenges faced by small and marginal farmers in accessing credit, technology, and market opportunities:

• Access to credit: According to RBI only 40 per cent of India’s small and marginal farmers are covered by formal credit.
  • Limited coverage under KCC: the record of coverage under KCCs, a scheme first introduced in 1998, over 20 years ago, should also concern us as only around 45 per cent of all Indian farmers possessed an operative KCC and that given the existence of multiple accounts per farmer, the percentage is likely to be even lower.
  • Lack of collateral: Small and marginal farmers often lack adequate collateral to secure loans, making it difficult for them to access formal credit.
  • Limited awareness: Many farmers are unaware of the various credit schemes and government initiatives available to them, resulting in limited access to credit facilities.
• Access to technology:
  • Limited investment capacity: Being short of capital for basic activities and inadequate farm investments they are unable to access good quality inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, weedicides, modernized farm equipment, and better irrigation techniques, etc. that may help in enhanced productivity.
  • Limited technological know-how: they also lack knowledge and training in modern agricultural practices, limiting their ability to adopt new technologies and innovative farming techniques.
  • The fragmented nature of landholdings among small and marginal farmer hampers economies of scale, making it challenging to adopt modern agricultural technologies and practices.
• Market opportunities in India:
  • Inadequate market linkages: Small farmers often struggle to connect with buyers and markets due to limited access to transportation and infrastructure. They rely on middlemen who exploit their lack of bargaining power.
  • Quality and standards compliance: Meeting quality standards and certifications required by markets can be challenging for small farmers, leading to limited market access and lower prices.
• Other problems: The problem of small farmers’ livelihood is further aggravated due to several production risks such as unfavourable weather conditions, drought, flood, lack of adequate use of quality inputs, poor irrigation facilities, absence of timely advisory, poor extension services leading to low yield, crop failure, among others.

Measures needed:

• Expanding access to formal credit through targeted loan schemes, simplified procedures, and collateral alternatives.
• Strengthening market infrastructure, including storage, processing, and transportation facilities, to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.
  • Ensure fair functioning of local mandis and markets in terms of open auction, price negotiations, logistics, proper unloading and storage / handling of farmer produce especially perishable, which is generally auctioned from road side and filthy grounds.
• Investing in rural infrastructure, including irrigation facilities, to improve productivity and reduce the vulnerability of small farmers to climate-related risks.
• Enhancing market linkages and developing farmer-producer organizations to enable collective bargaining and reduce dependency on intermediaries.
• Opportunities to expand and diversify the sources of income through off-farm activities such as aggregation, micro-processing and trading, has immense potential to engage young blood in gainful employment.
• Promoting farmer education and training programs to enhance technological skills and knowledge dissemination.
  • Through such training, farmers can better understand their assets, identify the opportunities, and make use of them efficiently and sustainably.

Conclusion

India has always been a major agricultural producer since ancient times. But now the times are changing and in this globalised and connected world we live in today; our practices need to be revaluated to boost the entire nation’s growth.

Q2.  How has climate change and unpredictable weather patterns affected agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods? What measures is government taking for adaptation and mitigation their impacts. (15M)

Introduction

Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns is an increasingly critical issue globally, and it is affecting the agriculture sector in India. Agriculture is a crucial sector for India’s economy, employing over 50% of the country’s workforce and contributing to about 17% of the GDP.

Body:

Impact of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods:

• Erratic Monsoon Patterns: Monsoon rainfall, has become increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. In recent years, India has experienced extreme variations in monsoon rainfall, leading to both droughts and floods.
  • For instance, in 2019, several regions faced severe drought, resulting in a decline in crop yields.
• Reduced Crop Yields: Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns have adversely affected crop productivity in India. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that crop yields in India could decline by 10-40% by 2100.
  • For example, wheat production in India could decrease by 6 million tons for every 1°C rise in temperature.
• Increased Pest and Disease Outbreaks: Climate change has altered the geographical distribution and intensity of pests and diseases, impacting agricultural crops. Warmer temperatures and increased humidity provide favourable conditions for the proliferation of pests and diseases.
  • For instance, the pink bollworm infestation in Maharashtra
• Water Scarcity: changing rainfall patterns, glacial melt, and depletion of groundwater resources impact irrigation systems.
  • According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, nearly 600 million people in India face high-to-extreme water stress, including farmers who heavily rely on irrigation for their crops.
• Shifts in Crop Patterns: Farmers are forced to adapt to changing climatic conditions by altering their crop patterns. Some regions have witnessed shifts from traditional crops to more drought-tolerant varieties.
  • For instance, Farmers in Maharashtra have shifted from water-intensive crops like sugarcane to less water-demanding crops such as soybean and millets.
• Economic impact: Crop losses, increased input costs, and reduced incomes have pushed many farmers into debt and financial distress. Suicides among farmers have been reported, highlighting the dire consequences of climate change on their livelihoods.

Following measures are being taken by government for adaptation and mitigation:

• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana : launched in 2016, crop insurance scheme that provides financial support to farmers in case of crop losses due to natural calamities, including those related to climate change.
  • g. Till date, the scheme has insured over 30 crore farmer applications (5.5 crore farmer applications on year-on-year basis).
• Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture: The government promotes climate-smart agriculture practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry, and precision farming. These practices enhance resilience to climate change and help mitigate its impacts. E.g. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Soil Health Card Scheme etc.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The NAPCC includes specific missions addressing the challenges of climate change in agriculture, such as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and the National Water Mission (NWM).
• Research and Development: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other research institutions are conducting studies to develop climate-resilient crop varieties, water-efficient technologies, and pest management strategies. E.g. National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project.
• International Collaboration: The government collaborates with international organizations and participates in global climate change agreements to access funding, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing for climate adaptation and mitigation in agriculture. E.g. India-Israel cooperation on agriculture.

Conclusion

With the right policies and initiatives, India has the potential to become a global leader in Climate Smart Agriculture, which can help the country achieve its climate goals while also enhancing the resilience of its agriculture sector to climate change.

Ethics

Q3. How can common people ensure ethical governance in a country such as ours? Explain (10M)

Introduction:

Ethical governance is a way of governing which infuses high standards of moral values and behaviour in the governance process. Common people can play an important role by actively participating in the democratic process and advocating for transparency, accountability, and integrity.

Body:

Several ways in which individuals can contribute to ethical governance:

• Active Citizenship: Citizens can exercise their voting rights responsibly by electing representatives who have a proven track record of ethical conduct and a commitment to good governance.
• Demand Transparency: advocate for the application of utilitarian ethics, considering the greatest good for the greatest number, by demanding access to information regarding government policies, decisions, and expenditures. Eg: Being fully aware and utilizing the RTI Act.
• Encourage Accountability: Citizens can draw upon virtue ethics, emphasizing moral character and integrity, to promote accountability. Eg: Lodging a complaint every time they encounter corruption,
• Participate in civil society: By peacefully protesting, engaging in advocacy campaigns, and supporting independent oversight bodies, individuals contribute to a society that values responsible actions and holds leaders to high ethical standards.
• Promote Ethical Leadership: Common people can draw upon ethical frameworks such as Aristotle’s virtue ethics, focusing on cultivating virtuous character traits, to recognize and celebrate leaders who demonstrate integrity, honesty, and a commitment to public service.
• Care Ethics: the consideration of the needs and well-being of all individuals and communities, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable populations.
• Education and Awareness: on ethics, values, and the significance of good governance. Educational institutions, public forums, and media platforms play a crucial role in disseminating ethical knowledge and fostering a culture of ethical governance.
• Personal Integrity: Ultimately, ethical governance begins with individual integrity and aligning their actions with their moral convictions. For instance, by refusing to participate in or support corrupt practices

Conclusion:

Through these actions, citizens help ensure ethical governance in their country, thereby promoting the overall well-being and development of society.

Case Study

Q4.  You are a district collector. A month back you received a grievance from a farmer that electricity to his farmland is not being given despite fulfilling all the legal norms. The farmer has applied for the electricity connection four years back. His farmland is in a dry region where practicing agriculture is not possible nowadays due to continuing El-Nino led droughts. The only remedy is irrigation, which needs electricity.

Upon receiving his grievance, you investigate the reason for delay in giving power supply. You come to know that an MLA from the same area wants to do contract farming by contracting all the farms in the village. But the farmer who addressed his grievance to you is not willing to lease his farm to the MLA. To force the farmer and make his land useless, the MLA successfully thwarted all the attempts by farmer to get power supply. The MLA believes this will force the farmer to contract his land to the MLA. But the farmer was unrelenting and approached you. However, you are just a channel passing grievance and you lack substantial power to give electricity connection.

The Electric Department officials are complicit to MLA’s misconduct and they are unwilling to give electricity. Frustrated with no action even after reporting the grievance to you, the farmer burns himself before the Collectorate i.e. your Office.

Overwhelmed by emotions of hearing this incident you come out to media and name the electric department officials and MLA as responsible for this. But you do not have any evidence to support your claim. This is considered as harassing public servants with false claims and you are suspended. This irks you further and you resign the job.

Answer the following questions:

1. 1. Why the cases of citizens committing suicides for government’s apathy are on rise?
   2. How can you prevent a citizen who is in the process of committing suicide before your office?

(20M)

Introduction:

The above situation highlights the failure of the system to address the grievances and needs of the people. It reflects the deep-rooted frustration, desperation, and helplessness experienced by individuals when their concerns are unresolved.

In such cases, prompt intervention and effective measures are necessary to prevent tragic incidents and provide support to citizens in distress.

1. Reasons for the rise in cases of citizens committing suicides for government’s apathy:

• Lack of effective grievance redressal mechanisms: that contributes to their frustration and hopelessness. Pushes then to resort to extreme measures like suicide as a final act of desperation.
• Inadequate access to essential services: Citizens are dependent on government services for their basic needs, the failure to receive timely assistance can lead to despair.
• Corruption and misconduct: Instances of corruption, unethical practices, and abuse of power within government departments can exacerbate citizens’ distress.
• Lack of empathy and responsiveness: from government officials can contribute to citizens feeling neglected and isolated, losing hope in finding a solution to their problems, leading to extreme actions like suicide.
• Socio-economic factors: such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality contribute to citizens’ frustration and hopelessness. The farmer here is helpless as he is hit by drought and lack of avenues of Income.
• Mental health issues: which often go unnoticed or untreated due to limited access to mental healthcare facilities and stigma associated with seeking help.
• Lack of public trust: Citizens’ trust in the government is crucial for a functioning democracy. However, incidents of corruption, inefficiency, and unresponsiveness erode public trust.

1. Prevention measures to support citizens in distress:

Short-Term:

Medium-Term:

Long-term:

Conclusion:

Government apathy requires a multi-faceted approach that focuses on strengthening mental health support, empowering citizens through information dissemination, fostering collaboration with community organizations, ensuring accountability, and improving grievance redressal mechanisms.

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