UPSC IAS exam preparation - Indian Agriculture and related issues - Lecture 8

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Horticulture, Animal rearing, Produce management,
Food processing, eNAM - Part 1

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

India is the world's second largest producer of food next to China and has the potential of being the biggest, if supported by proper policies and an appropriate institutional framework. The total food production in India is likely to double in the next 10 years with the country's domestic food market having reached US$ 258 billion by 2015.

With a huge agriculture sector, abundant livestock, and cost competitiveness, India is fast emerging as a sourcing hub for processed food. The Indian food processing industry accounts for more than 30 per cent of the country's total food market. 

The food industry in India has been attracting a lot of attention from foreign investors as the country is close to the markets of Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) is making all efforts to encourage investments in the sector, incentives for cold chain development and also grant-in-aid for setting up laboratories that are equipped for testing food products. The coming years promise to be very exciting.

As global population growth continues to soar, food security - the availability of and access to food - is an increasing concern. At the same time, high costs and inefficiencies have made farming an increasingly unviable profession for small farmers in developing countries.

In such a scenario, increased use of information technology has the potential to harness resources and ensure their more effective utilization. Information availability can also be speeded up which would result in better realization for farmers.

2.0 HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY IN INDIA

Horticulture is the science and art of producing, improving, marketing, and using fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. Since aesthetics becomes important, it differs from botany and other plant sciences. This is a fast growing sector in India, and worldwide, and farmers engaged in horticulture can augment their (primary) income substantially.

The Horticulture sector involves production, management, processing and sales of fruits (including nuts), vegetables (including potato), tuber crops, mushroom, ornamental plants including cut flowers, spices, plantation crops and medicinal and aromatic plants. It has become a key driver for economic development in many of the states in India, and contributes significantly to the GDP of agriculture. 

Some glimpses of Indian Horticulture are -

1. Globally, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables
2. Largest producer of mango, banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, pomegranate etc.
3. Largest producer and exporter of spices
4. Ranks first in productivity of grapes, banana, cassava, peas, papaya etc.

The overall trends are quite positive, and the Horticulture sector is a significant contributor in the Agriculture & Allied sectord GDP also.

Annual growth trends

To take a historical perspective, we now look at the data comparison with 1991-92. Here is a comprehensive look at the sector which indicates its amazing potential. Crops included are Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, Nuts, Aromatic and Medicinal Plant crops, Plantation crops, Spices, Mushroom and Honey.

Many states in India have taken a lead in the Fruits and Vegetables sector. Here is a glimpse of the leading states. 

Here is a comprehensive look at all the Indian states, for all the Horticultural crops. Do spend some time studying this table, as it gives an insight into the earning potential of farmers of these states. In light of the government's drive to double the farmers' incomes by 2022, augmentation through allied sectors will play a key role in the coming years.

3.0 Animal rearing IN INDIA

Historically, Indians have had an affinity for rearing animals considered integral to their existence. A large number find place in mythology and daily religious rituals too. Times have changes slowly, and the farmers follow a mixed crop livestock farming system. This ensures the survival and security of large numbers of poor people. Animal rearing in India is a part of this system. This production system assumes special significance in the present context of sustained economic growth, rising income, increasing urbanization, changes in taste and preference that have lead to dietary changes reflecting the importance of milk, meat, egg and fish. In such systems, livestock generate income, provide employment, draught power and manure. 

3.1 Animal rearing and poverty reduction

Animal rearing (livestock rearing) has a very important role to play in poverty alleviation in India.

Livestock rearing is a key livelihood and risk mitigation strategy for small and marginal farmers, particularly across the rain-fed regions of India. The livestock sector has been growing faster than many other sectors of agriculture and if this trend continues then the sector will be the engine of growth for Indian agriculture that many have predicted.

Most often we see livestock as providers of essential food products, draught power, manure, employment, household income and export earnings. However, it is a very important fact that livestock wealth is much more equitably distributed than wealth associated with land. Thus, when we think of the goal of inclusive growth, we should not forget that from equity and livelihood perspectives, livestock rearing must be at the centre of the stage in poverty alleviation programmes. 

Livestock rearing at the household level is largely a women-led activity, and therefore income from livestock rearing and decisions related to management of livestock within the household are primarily taken by women. Interventions in India have demonstrated that support for livestock rearing has contributed significantly to the empowerment of women and an increasing role in decision making at both the household and village level. Another significant aspect is that livestock rearing, particularly in the rain-fed regions of the country, is also emerging as a key risk mitigation strategy for the poorest. They face increasingly uncertain and erratic weather conditions which negatively impact crop productivity and wage labour in the agriculture sector.

3.2 Major challenges in India in animal rearing

A global analysis of the livestock sector by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was contained in its report State of Food and Agriculture. This report highlighted three importnat aspects.

First, although livestock products make important contributions to food security and poverty reduction for many low-income rural families, the policy and institutional framework in many countries has failed to serve the needs of these poorest households and to get them onto the conveyor belt of development. A lack of public services in animal health that reach out to the poorest in rural areas and a failure to link small holder livestock keepers to better paying markets are but two examples of common failings. The institutional and policy frameworks tend to support intensive and commercial livestock rearing, both in the provision of services and also in facilitating access to markets.

Second, livestock producers, including traditional pastoralists and smallholders, are both victims of natural resource degradation and contributors to it. Corrective action most likely lies in a mix of public goods related to environmental protection, ecosystem services and through incentives for private investment to improve animal productivity, particularly in remote regions. In the case of India, there are numerous examples of community-led interventions where community management and sustainable use of natural resources has positively impacted small holder livestock rearing.

Third, animal health services not only combat animal diseases that cause mortality and reduce animal productivity, they also protect human health because of the risk of animal to human disease transmission. Animal health systems have been neglected in many parts of the world and this has led to institutional weaknesses that in turn lead to poor delivery of animal health services and higher risks to livelihoods and human health. In correcting this situation it must be recognised that the poor face different risks and have different incentives and capacities to respond than do intensive commercial farmers. Therefore, animal health service providers have the additional challenge of recognising the differences between their stakeholders and developing mechanisms to reach them all.

To address these issues a multi pronged approach is required from all actors in the social, environmental, animal health, human health and agriculture sectors; that means public, private and community organisations being actively engaged together. 

3.3 Dairy and Livestock Production

3.3.1 Milk

India continues to be the largest producer of milk in the world. Dairying is an important source of income for millions of rural families and has assumed as an important role in providing employment and income generating opportunities. The Government of India and state governments are making strong efforts to increase the productivity of milch animals and increase the per capita availability of milk. The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has attempted the building up cooperative infrastructure, revitalization of sick dairy cooperative federations and extended support for creation of infrastructure for production of quality milk and milk products. Two important schemes being implemented are the Intensive Dairy Development Programme for increasing milk production and procurement and the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding for genetic upgradation of bovines. Some more schemes formulated to increase the production and productivity of milk, poultry, meat and fish are:

Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production: The scheme, introduced during October, 2003 has its objective the improvement of the quality of raw milk produce at the village level by creating awareness among farmers and members. Under the scheme, there is a provision for training of farmers on good milking practices and the setting up of Bulk Milk Cooler (BMC) at Dairy Cooperative Society level.

Assistance to Cooperatives: The central sector scheme started in 1999-2000, aims at revitalizing the sick dairy cooperative unions at the district level and cooperative federations at the State level. The rehabilitation plan is prepared by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in consultation with the concerned State Dairy Federation and District Milk Union.

Dairy Venture Capital Fund (DVCF)/Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS): The Dairy/Poultry Venture Capital Fund scheme was started in December, 2004. It has been modified and renamed as the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) and is being implemented from September, 2010.

3.3.2 Cattle and Buffalo Breeding: Livestock Production

India has the world's largest livestock population, accounting for about half the population of buffaloes and 1/6th of the goat population. Such a large population presents a challenge wherein existing productivity levels are sustained by application of modern science and technology, incentives and policies.

At present many States and Union Territories are participating in National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding. The objective of this scheme is to promote genetic upgradation of bovines. Artificial Insemination (AI) centres have beenassisted and equipped to function as mobile AI centres and 21,000 private AI centres have been established for delivery of breeding services. In order to improve the quality of semen production a Minimum Standard Protocol (MSP) for semen production has been enforced at all semen stations; 49 frozen semen bull station have been strengthened as per this MSP. A central Monitoring Unit (CMU) has been constituted for evaluation of one semen stations in two years. Thirty four semen stations in the country have acquired ISO certification against 3 during 2004. MSP for progeny testing and standard operating procedures for AI technicians has also been formulated.

National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding has focus on development and conservation of indigenous breeds. The cattle and buffalo genetic resources of India are represented by 34 indigenous breeds of cattle including Rathi, Gir, Kankrej, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, Deoni, Hallikar, Khillar Hariana etc. and 11 breeds of buffaloes including Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Mehsani, Surti etc. Indigenous animals are sturdy, endowed with quality of heat tolerance, resistance to diseases and have ability to thrive under extreme nutritional stress. Global warming is likely to increase incidences of animal diseases particularly viral and protozoan diseases in crossbred animals. Therefore, there is a need to take programmes for development and conservation of indigenous breeds.

Funds have been released to the participating States for procurement of quality bulls for natural service, initiating bull production programmes, strengthening of bull mother farms and establishment of farms for important indigenous breeds (Bhadawari, Sahiwal, Gir, Deoni, Kankrej, Hariana, Kenkatha, Hallikar, Khillar, etc.) for their further development. 

3.4 Challenges in the Dairy Sector

Despite being the world's largest producer, the dairy sector is by and large in the primitive stage of development and modernization. Though India may boast of a 300 million cattle population, the average output of an Indian cow is only one seventh of its American counterpart. Indian breeds of cows are considered inferior in terms of productivity. Moreover, the sector is plagued with various other impediments like shortage of fodder, its poor quality, dismal transportation facilities and a poorly developed cold chain infrastructure. As a result, the supply side lacks in elasticity that is expected of it. 

On the demand side, the situation is buoyant. With the sustained growth of the Indian economy and a consequent rise in the purchasing power during the last two decades, more and more people today are able to afford milk and various other dairy products. This trend is expected to continue with the sector experiencing a robust growth in demand in the short and medium run. If the impediments in the way of growth and development are left unaddressed, India is likely to face a serious             supply-demand mismatch and it may gradually turn into a substantial importer of milk and milk product. The major challenges facing the dairy sector are:

1. Small herd size and poor productivity
2. Inadequate budgetary allocation over the years
3. Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries 
4. Lack of equity with crop production
5. Inadequate availability of credit
6. Poor access to organized markets deprive farmers of proper milk price
7. Poor AI service net-work
8. Shortage of manpower and funds
9. Limited availability of quality breeding bulls
10. Low acceptability of AI in buffaloes
11. Disease outbreaks: mortality & morbidity
12. Deficiency of vaccines and vaccination set-up
13. Induction of crossbred animals in areas poor in feed resources
14. Majority of grazing lands are either degraded or encroached
15. Diversion of feed & fodder ingredients for industrial use

Continuous support to the States is essential for further genetic upgradation programmes to meet the fast increasing demand for milk in the country. There is further need to consolidate and improve the breeding infrastructure created under NPCBB, scientific programmes like Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT), Multi Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology (MOET), Markers Assisted Selection (MAS) and development of semen sexing technology and use of sexed semen for faster propagation of elite germplasm and for increasing bovine productivity. The following policy initiatives are required to attract investment and for further development of dairy and livestock sector:

1. Incentivize investment in this sector, and 
2. Increase public investment.

3.5 Meat and Poultry Sector

In terms of population, India ranks second in the world in goats and third in sheep. Unlike the dairy sub-sector, growth in poultry production is mainly attributed to the efforts of the organized private sector, which controls over 80% of the total production in the country.

In poultry development, the following components are funded by the Department: 

Assistance to State Poultry Farms: One time assistance is provided to strengthen farms in terms of hatchery, brooding and rearing houses, laying houses for birds with provision for feed mill and their quality monitoring and in-house disease diagnostic facilities and feed analysis laboratory.

Rural Backyard Poultry Development: This component envisages supply of backyard poultry to beneficiaries from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to enable them to gain supplementary income and nutritional support.

Poultry Estates: Entrepreneurship skills are to be improved through an exploratory pilot project, 'Poultry Estates' in two States. It is meant primarily for educated, unemployed youth and small farmers with some margin money, for making a profitable venture out of various poultry related activities in a scientific and bio-secure cluster approach.

Poultry Venture Capital Fund: The scheme provides finance through NABARD for components like establishment of poultry breeding farm with low input technology birds, establishment of feed go-down, feed mill, feed analytical laboratory, marketing of poultry products, egg grading, packing and storage for export capacity, retail poultry dressing unit, egg and broiler carts for sale of poultry products and central grower unit, etc.

Central Poultry Development Organizations & Central Poultry Performance Testing Centre: The four centres of the Central Poultry Development Organizations are located at Chandigarh (Northern Region), Bhubaneswar (Eastern Region), Mumbai (Western Region) and Bangalore (Southern Region) while one Central Poultry Performance Testing Centre is at Gurgaon, Haryana. These centres are promoting the development of poultry through the following measures:

1. Availability of quality chicks of identified low-input technology poultry stocks is ensured. 
2. Diversification into rearing of Duck and Turkey (Southern Region), Japanese Quail (Northern and Western region) and Guinea fowl (Eastern region). 
3. Training of trainers, farmers, women beneficiaries, various public and private sector poultry organizations, NGOs, Banks, Cooperatives and foreign trainees etc. 
4. Regular testing of various stocks available in the country to assess their performance.

Developing efficient distribution system with large investments required in cold chain infrastructure and increasing market acceptability of frozen chicken are going to be the key industry drivers in long term.

Indian poultry sector has been growing at around 8-10 per cent annually over the last decade with broiler meat volumes growing at more than 10 per cent, while table egg which is growing at 5-6 per cent is mainly driven by increased domestic consumption.

Farmers in the country have moved from rearing country birds in the past to rearing hybrids which ensure faster growth of chicks, higher eggs per bird, increased hatchability, low mortality rates, excellent feed conversion and consequently sustainable profits to the poultry farmers. The growth in production of poultry industry are reflected in relatively lower price increases in poultry meat over last five years compared to other meat products - Poultry WPI (wholesale price index) has grown at 12 per cent year-on- year over 2008-2015 as against 21 per cent for overall meat products basket - providing an affordable alternative for meeting protein requirements in Indian diet.

3.5.1 Challenges in the meat and poultry sector

The challenges facing the meat and poultry sector include: 

1. Maize availability and cost: maize is the single most important ingredient of poultry feed, its' availability at a reasonable cost is the major problem of poultry sector. 
2. Diseases: Pathogenic and emerging diseases namely AI often cause heavy losses both in domestic market and international trade. 
3. Lack of Marketing Intelligence: There is a dire need for realistic national marketing intelligence to bridge the gap between supply and demand of poultry & poultry products.
4. Human Resource Development: To meet the growing demand of sustainable and safe production there is a huge demand for trained and skilled manpower in poultry sector. 
5. Large size of target population to be improved in terms of productivity with application of science and technology pose a formidable challenge. 
6. Low level of processing and value addition in animal products.

Measures to be taken

The following measure are suggested to strengthen the meat and poultry sector for accelerated and sustainable growth: 

1. Long-term sustainable production measures have to be looked into to increase the production & quality of maize. 
2. Active surveillance, monitoring and control in case of any outbreaks in rapid manner. 
3. Network for a realistic national and global poultry database and marketing intelligence may be developed. 
4. Sufficient trained manpower should be developed in the existing institutions. 
5. With growing urbanization and increasing quality consciousness, the market for scientifically produced meat products is expected to grow rapidly. The market is growing for ready-to-eat and semi-processed meat products because of a changing socio-economic scenario and an increase in exports to neighboring countries, especially the Middle East. 
6. The mechanized slaughter houses produce huge quantities of offal and digesta from the slaughtered animals which could be profitably utilized for production of value added products, like Meat-cum-Bone Meal (MBM), Tallow, Bone Chips, Pet Foods and methane as a source of energy for value addition in most of the modern plants. 
7. There is a need to support pig rearing in order to improve sow productivity, growth rate of piglets and feed conversion efficiency. 
8. It is important to encourage proper utilization of by-products of livestock slaughter for higher income of livestock owners. The environmental pollution and spread of livestock diseases has to be prevented.

3.6 Fisheries Sector

1. India is the second largest producer of fish in the world.
2. The policy for fishery development emphasizes inland fisheries, particularly aquaculture in recent years, which has been instrumental in increasing production, enhancing exports and reducing the poverty of fishermen. 

Allocations made for the development of fisheries sector through the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes are utilized for implementation of both development and welfare oriented schemes through the respective states and UTs. In addition to the allocations made through CSS and CS, assistance is provided through other flagship programmes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the recently launched National Mission for Protein Supplements (NMPS). Given below are key facts about Fisheries in India.

3.6.1 Challenges

Over the years, fisheries' industry is emerging and rapidly growing. This covers both capture and culture including inland and sea, aquaculture, gears, navigation, oceanography, aquarium management, breeding, processing, export and import of seafood, special products and by-products, research and related activities. There exists several investment opportunities in the sector for the entrepreneurs world over. 

But, there are several challenges and issues facing the fisheries development in the country, such as, accurate data on assessment of fishery resources and their potential in terms of fish production; development of sustainable technologies for fin and shell fish culture; yield optimisation; harvest and post-harvest operations; landing and berthing facilities for fishing vessels and welfare of fishermen; etc. The main challenges facing the fisheries sector include: 

1. Shortage of quality and healthy fish seeds and other critical inputs. 
2. Lack of resource-specific fishing vessels and reliable resource and updated data. 
3. Inadequate awareness about nutritional and economic benefits of fish. 
4. Inadequate extension staff for fisheries and training for fishers and fisheries personnel. 
5. Absence of standardization and branding of fish products.

3.6.2 Measures to be taken

The 'fisheries and aquaculture sector' is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture. It stimulates growth of number of subsidiary industries and is the source of livelihood for a large section of economically backward population, especially fishermen, of the country. It helps in increasing food supply, generating adequate employment opportunities and raising nutritional level. It has a huge export potential and is a big source of foreign exchange earnings for the country. 

The 'Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries' is the main authority for development of fisheries' industry in India. It has been undertaking, directly and through the State Governments and the administrations of the Union Territories, various production, input supply and infrastructure development programmes and welfare-oriented schemes; besides formulating and initiating appropriate policies to increase production and productivity in the fishery sector. Further, the 'Ministry of Food Processing Industries' is another main agency responsible for sound growth of fish processing segment in India. 

However, fishery is basically a State subject and the primary responsibility for its development mainly rests with the State Governments. The major thrust in fisheries development has been focused on optimising production and productivity; augmenting export of fishery products; generating employment and improving welfare of fishermen and their socio-economic status. 

The following measures will help to further strengthen the fisheries sector: 

1. Schemes of integrated approach for enhancing inland fish production and productivity with forward and backward linkages right from production chain and input requirements like quality fish seeds and fish feeds and creation of required infrastructure for harvesting, hygienic handling, value addition and marketing of fish. 
2. Existing Fish Farmers Development Authority (FFDAs) would be revamped and cooperative sectors, SHGs and youths would be actively involved in intensive aquaculture activities. 
3. Large scale adoption of culture-based capture fisheries and cage culture in reservoirs and larger water bodies are to be taken up. 
4. Sustainable exploitation of marine fishery resources especially deep sea resources and enhancement of marine fish production through sea farming, mariculture, resource replenishment programme like setting up of artificial reefs.

3.7 Nutrition: Fodder and Feed

With only 2.29% of the land area of the world, India is maintaining more than 10% of the world’s livestock. The nutritive value of feed and fodder has a significant bearing on productivity of livestock. The gap between the demand and supply of fodder is fast increasing. In order to bridge this gap, and ensure production of quality fodder, the DADF is implementing a Central Fodder Development Organization (CFDO) Scheme. This has 7 Regional Stations for Forage Production and Demonstration (RSFP&D), one Central Fodder Seed Production Farm (CFSPF) at Hessarghatta (Karnataka) and Central Minikit Testing Programme (CMTP) for fodder crops. A modified 'Centrally Sponsored Fodder & Feed Development Scheme' is being implemented from April, 2010 for assisting the states in their efforts to augment the quantity and quality of feed and fodder.

3.7.1 Challenges in Nutrition

The main challenges in providing adequate and quality fodder and feed include: 

1. While numbers of livestock are growing, but the grazing lands are gradually diminishing. The area under fodder cultivation is also limited. 
2. A majority of the grazing lands have either been degraded or encroached upon restricting their availability for livestock grazing. 
3. Due to increasing pressure on land for growing food grains, oil seeds, and pulses, adequate attention has not been given to the production of fodder crops. 
4. Diversified use of agriculture residues like paper industry, packaging, etc. widening the gap between the supply and demand for fodder. 
5. There is lack of authentic data on availability of fodder, crop residues, agro industrial by- products and feed grains (coarse cereal grains). This is required to build an actual database, on feed and fodder, to be used for more effective and realistic planning of livestock sector development. 
6. Current production of improved fodder seed in the country is about 40,000 metric tonnes as against the requirement of 5.4 lakh metric tonnes to be cultivated on 10.8 million ha area. 
7. A substantial amount of crop residues is burnt by the farmers after harvesting of main crop like wheat and paddy. 
8. In most of the states there are inadequate staffs to address the problems related to fodder.

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