Potential role of small & marginal farmers in food security

1. Potential role of small and marginal farmers in achieving food security
Food Insecurity, being a chronic issue, has spread its tentacle throughout the world
with 842 million chronically undernourished in 2011-2013 (FAO estimates). The worst
hit part of the world includes not only includes India but countries of South Asia and
Africa among other economically backward and developing nations. If the same cannot
be addressed timely the repercussion shall be severe.
As Indian economy is growing in various aspect, Agricultural and allied sectors
contribution to the GDP is at 12% but at the same time there is growing demand of
food.
India’s agrarian segmentation on the basis of landholding suggests that Small and
Marginal holding (< 2.0 ha) farmers constituted 85.01 percent in 2010-11 against 83.29
percent in 2005-06 (Agriculture Census, 2013. The average size of operational holding
has declined to 1.15 ha in 2010-11 as compared to 1.23 ha in 2005-06. Therefore,
continuous fragmentation of farm land leading to non availability of optimal farm land
for farmers’ to reach breakeven. Thus it has become imperative to focus holistically
Small and Marginal farmers’ to cater to issues of food insecurity.
Thus a concerted effort towards following aspects will certainly reduce the cost of
production, increase in margin for farmers’, thus ensuring their traction in the sector
and prosperity, which in-turn ensure food security, not only for our country but far
beyond.
1. Shared Cropping: Small & Marginal Farmers can be encouraged for shared
cropping thus reducing average cost of production.
2. Technology Up gradation: Technology can be a game changer for increasing
productivity and making farming profitable.
- Lab to land programs: Indigenous research for soil nutrient- micro & macro, disease
resistance varieties, cultivation methodology and most importantly extension
services through ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- Community Driven Agriculture Implements Banks: Farm mechanization, which
requires capital expenditure, may not be a pragmatic way. Instead agriculture
implements banks can be formed which could be community driven supported by
government & private sector.
- Farm-gate to Consumer Plate: There is significant requirement of using post harvest
technology for reducing the wastage and optimal productivity. The facility of
transportation with investments in grading and sorting units, modern cold chain
facility and warehouses/Grain banks.
3. Agricultural Inputs: Subsidized inputs are available but the distribution system
needs to be strong and efficient through different village level organizations like

2. Primary Agriculture co-operatives or government distribution centers. Existence of
these organizations has been never an issue but effectiveness is.
4. Credit: Timely, adequate and hassle free credit to these farmers at subsidized
interest rate is much required for keep them in the sector and reducing the cost of
production. The cost of production goes up significantly when they fall into debt
trap from non-institutional credit.
5. Markets: An integrated market or modern Agri-terminals needs to be ensure for
easy disposing of produce by the farmers. Given the low quantum of produces from
these farmers a producer co-operative is required for better dissemination with
minimal effort and reducing the cost of production.
6. Policy: Amendment of APMC Act keeping in center the farmers benefit and the
future requirement of the sector, Introduction of better storage facility.