Question Q.6GS2GS2
What are the major challenges faced by India's agriculture sector to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and vegetable oils? Suggest measures to address these challenges.
Main Body
India spends ₹14 billion on oilseed and palm oil exports annually, constituting a major chunk of cash deficit. Challenges in pulses & vegetable oils: Pulses27 MMT, Oilseeds30 MMT. (1) Land fragmentationsmall landholdingsmore than 70% of landholdings are less than 1 ha (1 HA). (2) Water availabilityonly 48% irrigation, with 52% irrigation efficiency. (3) Monoropping culture of wheat-paddyless crop diversification. (4) Poor MSP incentives. (5) Lack of credit for pulses and oilseedscheaper to import due to 90 day credit period. (6) Climate changepalm oil cultivation is ecologically intensive.
Measures: 1) Land enlargement enforcing cultivable fallows. 2) Incentive to diversify production from rice & wheat. 3) Tapping non-conventional sources like jojoba, talon, cotton-seed. 4) Pulse & Oilseed Infrastructure development fund. 5) Reducing the import credit period to 45 days to discourage imports. 6) Technological revolutionshigh productivity, pest-resistant seeds. Thus, National Edible Oil Mission, pulse incentives, NABARD credit, MSP charges can make India self-sufficient.
169 words1 paragraphs
Topper
RITIKA
Subject & Paper
GS2GS2
Topic
Government Policies and Interventions - Design, Implementation and Issues
Government Schemes and Policies
Government Schemes and Policies
Writing Stats
169
Total words
1
Paragraphs
analytical
Tone