(i) In the 1960s and 1970s, the Indian government began reforms to improve agriculture. Key strategies included the Green Revolution, which used advanced technology, and the White Revolution, which boosted milk production. However, these efforts mainly benefited a few areas. To address this, in the 1980s and 1990s, a broader land development program was launched, including both institutional and technical reforms. Important steps included crop insurance against natural disasters, setting up Grameen banks and cooperative societies for low-interest loans, and introducing schemes like the Kissan Credit Card (KCC) and Personal Accident Insurance Scheme (PAIS) for farmers' benefit. The government also provided special weather bulletins and agricultural programs on radio and TV. Additionally, minimum support prices and procurement prices for key crops were announced to protect farmers from being exploited by speculators and middlemen.
(ii) Globalisation is not a new concept; it existed during the colonisation period. In the 19th century, European traders exported Indian spices worldwide, and farmers in South India were encouraged to grow these crops. Even today, spices remain a key export from India. However, since the 1990s, globalisation has brought new challenges for Indian farmers. Despite being major producers of rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute, and spices, India's agricultural products struggle to compete with those from developed countries due to heavy subsidies in those nations. Indian agriculture is at a critical point. To make farming successful and profitable, we need to focus on improving conditions for
small and marginal farmers.