The Prospects of Digitalisation Fuelling Rise in Farm Income: Dimensions and Issues

Abstract

The size of population largely determines food production in many countries. Increase of population along with urbanization unduly stress arable land and water sources. Scientific approaches for sustainable increase in crop production through modern techniques improve efficiency and effectiveness, amplifying the magnitude of resilience even if climate change challenges. Agriculture significantly impacts employment rates in India, as approximately 58% of the workforce is involved in this sector, either directly or indirectly. Today, though India ranks among the top five largest producers and exporters of agricultural goods, the yield per hectare is low when compared to other countries. The issue of losses before and after crop harvest account for approximately one-third of the global food production. Effectively handling these losses can increase the farmers' income and ensure food security, while alleviating strain on scarce land and depleting water sources. This article discusses problems faced by Indian agriculture and examines the potential advantages and prospects of utilizing scientific knowledge and digital technologies to overcome challenges in farming. Despite the notable advancements and rapid growth in digital adoption and transformation in Indian economy, the agricultural sector is still in its nascent stage of development phase.