Indian agriculture is a key contributor to India’s economy. According to the Economic Survey 2020-2021, the share of agriculture in GDP has reached almost 20% for the first time in 17 years. The sector is likely to grow even more with the help of certain techniques and technologies. Here’s a list of the top 5 emerging trends in Indian agriculture.
1. Vertical and Urban Farming
By 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow to 970 crores people and around 68% of them are expected to live in urban areas. The growing population will increase the demand for food. However, vertical farming can prepare us for such a challenge in advance. With the help of vertical farming, more food can be produced from the same growing area, using up to 95% less water.
Currently, vertical farming projects are in their initial stages in India. Small-scale adaptations have come into the picture so far, for example in Nadia, West Bengal, and Punjab. While Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidhalaya in Nadia has succeeded in growing tomato and brinjal, Punjab has produced potato tubers with this technique. For increased production and environmental reasons, vertical farming is one of the emerging trends to ensure a great future for Indian Agriculture.
2. Use of Biotechnology
Biotechnology in the agricultural sector is used to address the problems in crop production and processing. Biotechnology has great involvement in plant breeding to raise the yields, enhance nutritional content, improve resistance to pests, and abiotic stresses like drought and cold. Also, its use is influenced in reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture. Therefore, biotechnology will continue to take hold in Indian Agriculture.
Genetically engineered BT cotton produces a protein that helps in rendering cotton, resistant to specific insects. Farmers have to sow BT cotton seeds just like conventional seeds. No extra effort or equipment is required.
3. Precision Agriculture
Precision agriculture ensures the precise application of agricultural inputs based on the weather and soil conditions. It is a modern agriculture practice that is yet in the nascent stage in India. It involves the use of technology like remote sensing, GPS, and GIS (Geographic information system) to improve the quality and profitability of agriculture.
Even small and marginal farmers will be able to use technology with the help of private players, government, or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). In this way, without any doubt, precision agriculture has a great scope in Indian Agriculture.
4. Nano-Technology
The excessive use of chemicals due to a lack of awareness among farmers has affected our agricultural land and groundwater. It has even eliminated beneficial microbes and other wildlife from the soil. As a result, major degradation of the ecosystem is taking place. Nanotechnology, with the use of nano-pesticides, nano biosensors, and more can contribute immensely to enhancing crop production and soil quality.
In 2017, TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)presented a zero draft on nano-products in agriculture. It states that nanotechnology can revolutionize the global food production system. It has also emphasized that it can increase the overall productivity by ensuring smart delivery of active compounds, optimized water, and nutrient management.
5. Digital Connectivity
Last but not least, digital connectivity is majorly going to be a part of Indian Agriculture. Internet users may reach 6,664 lakh in the year 2025. Hence, there’s nothing wrong to anticipate that farmers and everyone involved in agricultural trading would be connecting digitally only. Not just connect, agri-traders would be able to do trading as well on various digital platforms.
One of the major signs of progress in agri-tech is the development of mandi accounting software. Online Mandi accounting software like ChargeERP is specifically designed for agri-traders to charge up their agriculture businesses. This cloud-based software will store all the information related to their everyday trading that could be accessed, downloaded, or shared from anywhere, any device. You can know more about ChargeERP by booking a free demo at www.chargeerp.com or calling +91 9311341199.