The Future of Food and Agriculture in India: Trends and Challenges

Abstract

Indian economy is mainly agriculture based where about 70% people is dependent on practicing it. It positions second and shares about 11.3% of the cultivable land within the world. That is why India has a high possibility to control agricultural resources for current and upcoming food security. Yet, about 21.9% (2016) of population are living under the poverty line and likewise, a large number of individuals are deprived or uncertain about food. This situation is most critical in rural areas. This study shows the present status, future trends, and challenges of food and agriculture sector in India. Time series data of the past thirty years was collected from secondary sources on area, production, and yield of crops; irrigated area; production of major crops; area, manufacture, and yield of crops in the major food-manufacturing states of India; food storage and poverty. Regression analysis, correlation techniques, and descriptive statistical methods were used to analyse the data. The potential for food production in the major food-producing area was measured by indexing state-level data on the acreage, output, harvest of yields and irrigated land into levels. It was noted that the advanced growth rate of food manufacture is higher than the total people, which means that food is sufficient to feed the people however, it is not available to all optimally, because of food wastage, packaging leakage, lack of food preservation, and proper circulation of food. If food is stored preserved and distributed in well manner, there would not be at all food deficiency in India, the study exposed.