Question

What initiatives have been taken by government to ensure an increase in agricultural production?

Answer 1

The government has taken certain initiatives to ensure increase in agricultural production. These include the following:

• Reorienting agriculture from being rain-fed to irrigation. This means reducing dependency on monsoon rains by constructing irrigation sources like canals, tanks, wells and installing mechanised pumps and tubewells.
• Use of High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds and fertilizers. This practice was initiated in 1960s with the aim of starting Green Revolution to create self-sufficiency in food grain production. This has particularly increased production of rice and wheat.
• Subsidy to farmers on purchase of seeds, fertilizers, equipment like tractors, electric pumps and electricity to encourage use of modern technology in agriculture while creating a simultaneous economic base to sustain it.
• Making available credit to farmers for purchase of seeds and equipment.
• Establishment of research institutes that work towards developing newer seeds and technologies to improve productivity.
• Spreading awareness among farmers regarding the use of technology through television and radio.
• Provisions like minimum support price to guarantee returns to farmers on their crops.