Good morning one and all. Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends, it is my pleasure and privilege to stand before you today. I am honored to have this opportunity to speak to such a distinguished audience.
I am sure everyone has had a good and healthy breakfast this morning. Often we do not think much of the source of our consumption or the hard work that goes into making it reach us. Today on this occasion, I would like to share a few words on the significance of agriculture.
One of the most significant sectors of the global economy, agriculture provides food and fiber to billions of people. India is an agrarian country. India is second in the world for agricultural output. According to the 2018 Indian Economic Survey, agriculture employed more than 50% of the labour force and made up 17–18% of the GDP.
Agriculture is a dynamic and complex area that includes a variety of tasks, such as managing livestock, planting and harvesting crops, and creating new technologies to increase yields and decrease waste. Agriculture, despite playing a vital part in maintaining human life, is also one of the most difficult and uncertain sectors, dealing with a variety of environmental and economic issues that may have an effect on both farmers and customers.
The necessity to enhance food production to fulfil the rising demands of a fast expanding global population is one of agriculture’s largest issues today. This calls for financial expenditures for Investment in research and development as well as new technologies that can assist farmers in producing more food with minimal options.
This includes improvements in soil and weather monitoring and analysis, plant breeding, irrigation, and pest control, as well as new technologies for enhancing agricultural growth and health.T
he effects of climate change are another critical challenge for agriculture. Changing weather patterns and rising temperatures have the tendency to destroy crops and threaten the entire food supply chain. In order to do this, farmers must modify their methods and tools while also making an effort to cut their own greenhouse gas emissions.
Agriculture bears economic pressures as well as environmental ones, such as shifting commodity prices and rising input costs for things like seeds, fertilizer, and electricity. Farmers require assistance from the government to overcome these obstacles.
In order to increase their competitiveness and profitability, they must also be allowed to adopt new technology and procedures. The Indian government launched the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) in 2014–15 with the goal of increasing agriculture’s productivity, sustainability, economic viability, and resilience to climate change. There are many more Indian policies to support agriculture, for example the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and more.
Despite the difficulties, agriculture offers many great chances for development and expansion. One of these is the application of digital technologies, such precision agriculture, to enhance judgement, boost productivity, and cut waste. This entails maximising the use of inputs like water, fertiliser, and energy.
I would like to conclude by saying that agriculture is an essential sector that contributes significantly to the maintenance of human existence and the provision of food for billions of people. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan!
