Indian agriculture began around 9000 BCE and was a major producer of wheat and grains. However, agriculture currently faces several challenges including high post-harvest losses, low yields, and inadequate infrastructure. The changing face of Indian agriculture involves adopting new crops, technologies, markets, and initiatives by the government to support farmers. Key aspects driving change include crop diversification, improved tools, online marketplaces, and programs that provide insurance, irrigation, soil testing, and access to credit for farmers. With continued progress in the use of new technologies, Indian agriculture is poised to transform in the future.

1. Changing Face of the Indian Agriculture
What is agriculture?
Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. It
include the preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and their distribution to
markets. Agriculture provide most of the world’s food and fabrics. Cotton, wool, and leather are all
agriculture products. Agriculture also provide wood for construction and paper products.
History of Agriculture in India
Indian agriculture began by 9000 BCE on north-west India as a result of early cultivation of
plants, and domestication of crops and animals. Indian subcontinent agriculture was the largest
producer of wheat and grains. Double monsoons led to two harvests being reaped in one year.
The middle ages saw irrigation channels reach a new level of sophistication in india and indian
crops affecting economies of other regions of the world. During modern era the independent India
able to develop a comphrehensive agriculture programme.
Some other fact on current Agriculture in India:
• Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India's population
• Indian agriculture is multifaceted, with horticulture and animal husbandry contributing to
over 60% of India’s agricultural GDP.
• India is the largest milk producer, ranks 2nd in vegetables and fruits, 3rd in fish production,
4th in egg and 5th in poultry production in the world.
• India agriculture is monsoon resilient thanks to major share of horticulture and livestock
production that are round the year activity.
Challenges to India agriculture
• In 2016, harvest and post harvest loss of India’s major agricultural produce was estimated at
Rs 92651 crore – almost three times as high as the 2016-17 budget for agriculture.
• It is due to poor acess to reliable market information,
• absence of supply and demand forecasting,
• poorly structured and inefficient supply chains,
• inadequate storage facilites.
• Another big issue is low-yield. Indian’s farm yields is 30 – 50% lower than that of
developed nations.
• It is due poor infrastructure,
• low use of farm technologies,
• decrease of soil ferility due to over fertilization.

2. Now Indian agriculture is going through a transforming phase due to Agriculture technologies and
changing market conditions.
Below are the key aspects which will define the changing face of Indian Agriculture:
• New Crops / Organic Farming: The future of Indian agriculture lies in crop diversification
and use of technology. The current practice of traditional crop production pattern showing
adverse impact on natural resources.
• Innovation & Technology: Indian agriculture sectors is being empowered with modern
techniques and tools which can help in maximizing crop production.These days Indian
farmers are getting access to improved agricultural tools & techniques. New techniques like
Water sprinkler, Sensors System, .. etc.
• Market Place: Agribusiness marketplaces in India is booming.Number of Government and
private platforms are helping farmers to sell their produce directly to end user.
• Agri business as a popular career option: Indian youth have understood the importance of
agriculture and agriculture business. The Covid-19 pandemic taught number of lessons.
• Land Ownership: Changing land ownership in agriculture affects crop pattern and the
gross production. India is one of the top countries having huge agriculture land.
Government is introducing several initiative to support the indian agricultre and people who involve
in the agriculture as primary source of income. Some of the initiative are like:
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture(NMSA): To promote the mission promotes
location specific sustainable and best farming practices.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) : The extreme weather conditions such as
droughts, floods and hailstorms cause crop failures and financial loss to the farmers every
year. And therefore, to save them from these ill effects this scheme is launched.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY): It focuses end to end solution on
source creation, distribution, management, field application and extension activities.
• e-National Agriculture Market (eNAM): In order connect the existing agricultural mandis
on a common online market platform for trading agricultural commodities. So far, e-NAM
has connected nearly 1,000 mandis in 18 states and three union territories
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC): To provide adequate and timely credit to the farmers for their
agricultural expenditures.
• Soil Health Card : An objective of conserving and maintaining soil nutrient and soil
fertility, Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme issues soil health cards to the farmers every two
years to provide a basis to address nutritional deficiencies in the fields

3. Conclusion:
Agriculture in India is major source of livlihood for large part of poplutaion and it is major
contributor to the GDP of india. Despite of the many challenges, Indian agriculture is progressing at
a steady pace. India is steady moving toward the use of new technology and accepting it in regular
practice and in future it will change the face of Indian agriculture.