Question

Agriculture in India is a gamble on the monsoon. Explain.

‘Indian agriculture is a gamble in monsoons.’ Explain.

‘Indian agriculture is a gamble of monsoon.’ Explain.

Answer 1

1. Several land reforms have been implemented. At the end of the First Five-Year Plan, Zamindari and all intermediaries were eliminated. An estimated 173 million acres of land were bought from intermediaries, bringing roughly two crore renters into direct interaction with the government.
2. The Indian government’s land reform program prioritises consolidating fragmented agricultural land holdings. Most states have established legislation to curb land subdivision and fragmentation.
3. Irrigation infrastructure development and utilisation have become increasingly important. An Accelerated Irrigation Benefit scheme has been implemented to ensure irrigation projects are completed. To expand irrigation benefits, the strategy includes promoting better management practices, installing sprinklers and drip irrigation systems in water-scarce and drought-prone areas, utilising both surface and ground water and encouraging farmer participation.

Answer 2

1. Indian agriculture is primarily dependent on rainfall due to insufficient irrigation systems.
2. But the rains are severely insufficient, highly irregular, and unequally distributed throughout various regions.
3. Crops grow with good rains, whereas poor rains result in significant output losses.
4. That is why Indian agriculture is referred to as a monsoon gamble.