Agrarian Development and Policy

Agrarian development is a multidimensional concept encompassing the economic, social, institutional, and technological transformations required to uplift the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of rural populations. In the Indian context, agrarian development and policy have undergone significant evolution since independence, influenced by colonial legacies, socio-political dynamics, global economic trends, and ecological pressures. India’s agricultural sector has been foundational not only for food security but also for employment, rural welfare, and socio-economic equity. However, the trajectory of agrarian development has been uneven, marked by regional disparities, policy inconsistencies, and structural inefficiencies.

Historically, India's agrarian framework was deeply shaped by British colonial policies that prioritized revenue extraction over rural development. The Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems institutionalized unequal land ownership patterns, leaving a legacy of landlordism, tenant exploitation, and fragmented holdings. Post-independence, land reform policies were introduced to redistribute land, eliminate intermediaries, and recognize tenancy rights. While states like Kerala and West Bengal achieved commendable success through movements like Operation Barga, many states failed to implement these reforms effectively due to political resistance and administrative inertia.

One of the landmark phases of agrarian transformation was the Green Revolution in the 1960s and 70s. This era brought significant technological advancements such as high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and improved irrigation techniques. Initially focused on wheat and rice, primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, the Green Revolution dramatically increased food grain production and transformed India from a food-deficit to a self-sufficient nation. However, it also had unintended consequences, including regional imbalances, ecological degradation, increased input dependency, and exclusion of marginal farmers who lacked access to resources. To promote holistic agrarian growth, the Indian government has introduced numerous policy initiatives. The National Agricultural Policy (2000) aimed to ensure equitable, sustainable, and diversified agricultural growth with a target growth rate of 4% per annum. More recent schemes like PM-Kisan, PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana), Soil Health Card Scheme, and E-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) were introduced to address income security, climate risk, soil degradation, and market integration, respectively.