Agriculture Policy & Cooperative Farming Notes part 3

Agriculture Policy & Cooperative Farming Notes

National Agricultural Policies & Swaminathan Committee

Background

• Recap: 1993 National Agriculture Policy (Announced: March 14, 1993)
• Recap: 2000 New National Agriculture Policy (Announced: July 28, 2000)

2000 New National Agriculture Policy

• Goal: Achieve 4% average annual growth in agriculture (2000-2020).
• Target: Increase farmers' income by 4% annually.
• Problem: Initial years (2000-2003) showed the 4% target was not being met.

National Commission on Farmers (Swaminathan Committee)

• Purpose: Suggest ways to achieve the 2000 policy goals.
• Formation Date: November 18, 2004.
• Chairman: Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.
• Reports: Submitted 5 reports in total.
• Final Report Date: October 4, 2006.

Key Recommendations of Swaminathan Committee (5 Points)

1. Rainfed Agriculture & Productivity: Promote dryland farming, improve irrigation, increase crop productivity.
2. Irrigation under BNY: Provide irrigation to 10,000 hectares annually via Bharat Nirman Yojana (Launched: Dec 16, 2005).
3. Price Stabilization & Risk Fund: Stabilize prices and create a Risk Fund ("Nashta Bhaya Nidhi") for farmers/banks.
4. Technology Transfer & Diversification: Transfer modern tech to farmers, encourage crop diversification.
5. Harmonizing Production, Consumption, Commerce: Ensure policies benefit farmers, traders, and consumers fairly.

Second Green Revolution

• Based on 7 Points (5 Swaminathan + 2 PM additions).
• Announcement Date: June 3, 2006.
• Additional 2 Points:
  • Seed Quality: Improve seed purity/quality using Biotechnology & S&T.
  • Livestock Development: Improve indigenous livestock breeds using Biotechnology & S&T.

Cooperative Farming (Sahakara Vyavasayam)

Concept & Origin

• Farmers pool resources (land, labour, capital) for collective cultivation and benefit sharing.
• Idea originated in Germany.

Indian Context - Advocacy

• Discussed: 1891 (Nagpur Congress Session).
• Recommended: Royal Commission (1926).
• Advocated: Gandhiji (1928).
• Recommended: J.C. Kumarappa Committee (1949) - also influenced Land Reforms.

Types of Cooperative Farming

1. Cooperative Better Farming (Sahakara Melu Rakapu): Individual ownership, cooperation in inputs/marketing.
2. Cooperative Tenant Farming (Sahakara Kaulu Rakapu): Joint leasing and cultivation by tenants.
3. Cooperative Collective Farming (Sahakara Saamuhika): Ownership surrendered, resources pooled, members work for wages.
4. Cooperative Joint Farming (Sahakara Ummadi): Land pooled for cultivation, but members retain ownership. Receive land dividend + wages.

Implementation in India

• Adopted Model: Primarily "Cooperative Joint Farming".
• Scale: Approx. 2.41 lakh families, 8,819 societies, 4.75 lakh hectares.
• Coverage: Only ~0.3% of India's cultivated area.
• Success: Limited overall. Relatively better in Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha.

Reasons for Limited Success in India

• Opposition from large landowners.
• Lack of political will.
• Farmer illiteracy & resistance.
• Lack of trust / social cohesion.
• Attachment to ancestral land.

Potential Benefits of Cooperative Farming

• Solves issues of small/fragmented land holdings.
• Facilitates use of modern technology/machinery.
• Increases productivity and efficiency.
• Reduces land wastage (boundaries).
• Improves bargaining power (inputs/outputs).
• Can help resolve land disputes.
• Better access to credit and inputs.