The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture

Introduction:

• India’s centennial year of independence is still away, in 2047, but the goal of becoming a developed nation looms large.
• Achieving this requires a significant increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI) to about six times the current level.
• This necessitates a comprehensive development approach, especially in agriculture.

Transforming Indian agriculture:

• Transforming Indian agriculture depends on adopting sustainable practices that ensure long-term productivity and environmental health.
• Precision farming, genetically modified crops, and advanced irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems are leading this transformation.
• PMKSY: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) promoting water-use efficiency through micro-irrigation.
• The scheme’s allocation for 2021-26 underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable water management.

Challenges:

• India’s agricultural sector faces challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and market access issues.
• PMFBY: The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, provides financial assistance for crop losses.
• The scheme is a cornerstone of agricultural risk management.
• eNAM: The Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM), launched in 2016, integrates existing markets through an electronic platform.
• This initiative improves market access and ensures better price realisation for farmers.

An imbalance:

• Despite agriculture engaging nearly 46% of the workforce, agriculture’s contribution to GDP is about 18%, highlighting a stark imbalance.
• If current growth trends continue, this disparity will worsen:
• While overall GDP has grown at 6.1% annually since 1991-92, agricultural GDP lags at 3.3%.
• In the last 10 years, overall GDP growth was 5.9%, and agriculture grew at 3.6%. However, this is insufficient for a sector so critical to the nation’s socio-economic fabric.
• By 2047, agriculture’s share in GDP might shrink to 7%-8%, yet, it could still employ over 30% of the workforce if significant structural changes are not implemented.
• This indicates that merely maintaining the current growth trajectory will not suffice.
• The expected 7.6% overall GDP growth for 2023-24 is promising.
• However, the agri-GDP’s anaemic growth of 0.7%, primarily due to unseasonal rains, is alarming.
• According to United Nations projections, India’s population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030 and 1.59 billion by 2040.
• Following the agricultural challenges, meeting the food requirements of this burgeoning population will be imperative.
• With an estimated expenditure elasticity of food at 0.45, the demand for food is expected to grow by approximately 2.85% annually, considering the population growth rate of 0.85%.
• India’s real per capita income increased by 41% from 2011-12 to 2021-22 and is projected to accelerate further.
• However, the expenditure elasticity post-2023 is anticipated to be lower, correlating a 5% rise in per capita expenditure to a 2% growth in demand.
• The anticipated food demand will vary among commodities, with meat demand growing by 5.42% and rice demand by a mere 0.34%.
• Addressing above challenges: Rationalising food and fertilizer subsidies, redirecting savings towards agricultural research and development innovation and extension services are crucial.

Government initiatives:

• Several initiatives have been rolled out to bolster farmer prosperity and sustainable agricultural growth.
• PM-KISAN: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), launched in 2019, disburses ₹6,000 annually to farmers in three instalments.
• This scheme has already benefited over 11.8 crore farmers, offering much-needed financial support.
• Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme: It aims to optimise soil nutrient use, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity.
• It provides farmers with crucial insights into soil health and nutrient management.
• International Year of Millets in 2023: Promoting nutritious coarse grains, both domestically and internationally.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: With a ₹1 lakh crore financing facility, supports the development and modernisation of post-harvest management infrastructure.
• Within three years, over 38,326 projects have been sanctioned, mobilising ₹30,030 crore in the agricultural infrastructure sector.
• These projects have created employment for more than 5.8 lakh individuals and improved farmer incomes by 20%-25% through better price realisation.
• SVAMITVA: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) initiative aims to ensure transparent property ownership in rural areas.
• As of September 2023, over 1.6 crore property cards have been generated, enhancing land security and facilitating credit access for farmers.

Strategic planning:

• The government’s strategic planning for agriculture, leading up to 2047, focuses on several key areas:
• Anticipated future demand for agricultural products
• Insights from past growth catalysts, existing challenges, and
• Potential opportunities in the agricultural landscape.
• Projections indicate that the total demand for food grains in 2047-48 will range from 402 million tonnes to 437 million tonnes, with production anticipated to exceed demand by 10%-13% under the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario.
• However, to meet this demand sustainably, significant investments in agricultural research, infrastructure, and policy support are required.
• The Budget for 2024-25, with an allocation of ₹20 lakh crore for targeted agricultural credit and the launch of the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, highlights the government’s proactive approach to fostering agricultural innovation and growth.

Conclusion:

• The road to 2047 presents both challenges and opportunities for Indian agriculture. By embracing sustainable practices, leveraging technological innovations, and implementing strategic initiatives, India can enhance farmer incomes, meet the food demands of its growing population, and achieve inclusive, sustainable development.

State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)

Context:

• SHRC for probe into violation of rights in Kerala film industry

News:

• The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has raised concerns over the alleged rights violations in the Malayalam film industry flagged by the K. Hema Committee report released recently.

Section 21 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993:

• Constitution of State Human Rights Commissions: A State Government may constitute a body to be known as the (name of the State) Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to, a State Commission.
• Composition:
• Chairperson who has been a (Chief Justice or a Judge) of a High Court.
• One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court or District Judge in the State with a minimum of seven years’ experience as District Judge.
• One Member to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of or practical experience in matters relating to human rights.
• Inquiry: A State Commission may inquire into violation of human rights only in respect of matters relatable to any of the entries enumerated in List II and List III in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution.

Appointment of members:

• The Chairperson and members of the SHRC are appointed by the Governor on the recommendations of a committee consisting of:
• The Chief Minister as its head, The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, The Chairperson of the Legislative Council (if it exists), The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council (if it exists), and The State Home Minister.

Term of members:

• The Chairperson and the members of SHRC hold office for a term of 3 years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• The Chairperson and other members are eligible for re-appointment in SHRC.
• After their tenure, the Chairperson and the members are not eligible for further employment under the Central or State Government.

Removal of members:

• Although the Chairperson and the members of a State Human Rights Commission are appointed by the Governor, they can be removed only by the President.
• The manner and grounds for removal of the chairperson or a member of the SHRC are the same as those of the chairperson or members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Functions of SHRC:

• Investigating human rights violations or negligence by public servants
• Intervening in court proceedings involving human rights allegations
• Visiting jails and detention centers to study living conditions and make recommendations
• Increasing public awareness of human rights issues
• Educating the public on their rights and responsibilities

Nature of Functions of SHRC:

• The functions of the State Human Rights Commission are mainly recommendatory in nature.
• The Commission has no power to punish the violators of human rights, nor to award any relief including monetary relief to the victim.
• Its recommendations are not binding on the State Government or any other authority.
• But, it should be informed about the action taken on its recommendations within one month.

Note: SHRC can look into a matter within one year of its occurrence.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

Context:

• ‘Retrospective effect of BNSS clause on detention’

News:

• The Centre said that Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which relates to the “maximum period for which an undertrial prisoner can be detained”, would apply retrospectively.

BNSS:

• It seeks to replace the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) which provides for the procedure for arrest, prosecution, and bail. 
• It mandates forensic investigation for offences punishable with seven years of imprisonment or more.
• All trials, inquiries, and proceedings may be held in electronic mode. Production of electronic communication devices, likely to contain digital evidence, will be allowed for investigation, inquiry, or trial.
• If a proclaimed offender has absconded to evade trial and there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the trial can be conducted and judgement pronounced in his absence.
• Along with specimen signatures or handwriting, finger impressions and voice samples may be collected for investigation or proceedings.
• It allows up to 15 days of police custody, which can be authorised in parts during the initial 40 or 60 days of the 60 or 90 days period of judicial custody.
• The power to attach property from proceeds of crime does not have safeguards provided in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• The CrPC provides for bail for an accused who has been detained for half the maximum imprisonment for the offence.
• The BNSS denies this facility for anyone facing multiple charges. As many cases involve charges under multiple sections, this may limit such bail.
• The use of handcuffs is permitted in a range of cases including organised crime, contradicting Supreme Court directions.
• The BNSS retains provisions of the CrPC related to maintenance of public order.

Key changes:

• Detention of undertrials: As per the CrPC, if an accused has spent half of the maximum period of imprisonment in detention, he must be released on personal bond.  This does not apply to offences punishable by death. 
• The BNSS adds that this provision will also not apply to: (i) offences punishable by life imprisonment, and (ii) persons against whom proceedings are pending in more than one offence.
• Timelines for procedures: The BNSS prescribes timelines for various procedures.  For instance, it requires medical practitioners who examine rape victims to submit their reports to the investigating officer within seven days. 
• Other specified timelines include:
• Giving judgments within 30 days of completion of arguments (extendable up to 45 days).
• Informing the victim, the progress of investigation within 90 days.
• Framing of charges by a sessions court within 60 days from the first hearing on such charges.
• Hierarchy of Courts: The CrPC establishes a hierarchy of courts for the adjudication of criminal matters in India.
• These courts include:
• Magistrate’s Courts: Subordinate courts responsible for the trial of most criminal cases.
• Sessions Courts: Presided over by a Sessions Judge and hear appeals from Magistrate’s Courts.
• High Courts: Have inherent jurisdiction to hear and decide criminal cases and appeals.
• Supreme Court: Hear appeals from High Courts and also exercise its original jurisdiction in certain matters.
• The CrPC empowers the state governments to notify any city or town with a population of more than one million as a metropolitan area. Such areas have Metropolitan Magistrates.  The BNSS removes the classification of metropolitan areas and Metropolitan Magistrates.