Challenges and Opportunities in Agriculture
The global agriculture sector is under pressure to increase yield quality and production while reducing its impact on the ecosystem. The future of agriculture is a crucial question for all stakeholders and planners in the agriculture and food value chain, policymakers, governments, and agricultural companies. Government and farming organisations take initiatives to address significant challenges in Indian agriculture such as primary & secondary processing, smallholdings of farmers, infrastructure, supply chain, market intermediaries and efficient use of resources.
Modern technology in agriculture can lead India to be independent of extraneous factors and be ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat’ in all aspects of the agriculture sector. Archaic agricultural practices and medieval mindsets of individuals in the agriculture value chain need to be overcome to deploy new farming concepts such as intelligent farming in India. Privatisation, globalisation and liberalisation are increasing and affecting the inputs market rapidly. Agricultural marketing has changed after 2003 and permitted private investments in contract farming, developing markets and future trading. With the revolution of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in India, private investments and modern technology in agriculture are changing the face of Indian agriculture with research and development.
Highly educated youth involved in agritech startups understand the high potential of investing and enhancing the agriculture sector using technology. The investments in agricultural inventions, innovations, research and development are increasing by many big companies, individuals, entrepreneurial ventures and startups. High demand for food, various fiscal incentives, good soil and weather conditions, untapped opportunities provided by the government inputs, cheap credit facilities availabilities, and production infrastructure are the reasons behind such ongoing considerable investments in making the future of agriculture secure safe, and safe sustainable.
The efforts are taken to turn agriculture challenges into enormous opportunities that will make the better future of agriculture. The changing demand for fruits & vegetables, fish, meat, dairy products due to globalisation, increased incomes, and health consciousness affect agriculture production. The need for processed and affordable quality food products will increase with the availability of researched & well protected cultivated high-value greens and vegetables in future. The competition will increase among agritech companies for better resources, plant protection chemicals, fertilisers, innovative products and customised farm equipment.
Modern technology in agriculture will keep evolving and changing with time. Traditional farming practices will be replaced with new farming concepts and developments such as precision farming, vertical farming, greenhouse farming, smart farming. Ultimately, all farmers, small, medium & large holders, will get access to technology, information and updates in future. The improved digital connectivity and market access is the future of agriculture.
