Features of New Agricultural Strategy

The New agricultural strategy includes Development of agricultural land,

mechanization, manures and use of HYV seeds.

(i) Development of Agricultural Land:

Special efforts were done during five-year plans to develop agricultural land.
Land surveys were conducted.

Soil erosion and water logging has been checked. Leveling of land was done.

(ii) Plant protection:

The process of protecting the plants against diseases, invasion of pests and
insects is called plant protection. Special efforts were made to protect the plants
from pests and insects. 14 Central Plant Protection Centres have been working
under the control of ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

(iii) Use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds:

High Yield Variety seeds are those whose output is more than normal seeds.
HYV seeds are used in the production of wheat rice, Bajra and Jowar. National
Seeds Corporation has been setup for production and distribution of HYV
seeds.

(iv) More Use of Fertilizers:

Optimum use of fertilizers has increased the production. Steps have been taken
to use cow dung as manure. Use of Chemical fertilizers has also increased.

(v) More Irrigation Facilities:

Irrigation is the life line for crop production. During plan period
irrigation facilities has increased a lot. Multipurpose projects have
developed to increase irrigation facilities Deep Tube wells and lift
irrigation schemes were launched to provide better irrigation. In
2004-05 total irrigation area was 546 lakh hectares.
(vi) Mechanisation of Agriculture:
Intensive use of tractors, thrashers and combines is called mechanisation of
agriculture. With mechanisation of agriculture it has become easy and time
saving occupation. Co-operative Societies, Regional Rural Banks and national
banks provide loan to farmers for purchases of agricultural machinery.

(vii) Improvement of Animal Husbandry:

To increase live stock wealth, 86 intensive cattle development Projects have
been started in the plan period Many veterinary centres have been opened to
check cattle diseases. In Punjab, Guru Aangad Dev University of Animal
Husbandry has been opened in 2006.
(viii) Scientific Cultivation:
Scientific cultivation aims at using superior agricultural technology. It involves
the use of quality seeds, proper manure, crop rotation and control of pests and
insects. Many agricultural universities are doing their best in the field of
scientific methods of cultivation.

(ix) Increase in the Areas Under Cultivation:

During plan period it is aimed to increase the net area under cultivation. The
waste lands are brought under cultivation. Efforts have been made to reclaim
the land lying waste due to soil erosion. Area under cultivation can be increased
by multiple cropping. It means raising more than one crop during the year.

The following points highlight the top ten features of new agricultural strategy
of India.

They are: 1. Consolidation of land holdings 2. Improved Variety of Seeds 3.

Greater Intensity of Cropping 4. Extension of Irrigation 5. Modern Farm
Machinery 6. Role of Public Institutions 7. Package of Inputs 8. Guaranteed
Minimum Prices 9. Agricultural Research and Education 10. Plant Protection
Measures.

Feature # 1. Consolidation of Land Holdings:

Land ownership rights to the tillers and basic forward outlook Punjab farmers
was the basic reason for providing ground to the green revolution in the
northern India.

Feature # 2. Improved Variety of Seeds:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Agricultural revolution is primarily due to the miracle of improved varieties of

seeds which have increased yields per acre.

Among these, we may mention the new dwarf varieties of wheat PV-18, Kalyan
Sona 27, HD 2329, Hybrid Maize, Rice IR-8, PR 106, Padma and Jaya etc.

Feature # 3. Greater Intensity of Cropping:

The new agricultural strategy is not only concerned with higher yield but also
with greater intensity of cropping. Therefore, new crop rotations have been
made possible by developing short duration varieties of paddy, jowar, bajra and
maize which are suited to different agro-climatic conditions. In the same way,
other crops like barley, oilseed, potato and vegetables have also been considered
for rotation.

Feature # 4. Extension of Irrigation:

In the areas, where new agricultural strategy is being applied, irrigation
facilities are speedily being expanded to assure the adequate water supply.
During the last 10-12 years, there has occurred a remarkable growth of tube-
wells, pump-sets etc.

Feature # 5. Modern Farm Machinery:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Modern farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, pumping sets, tube-well, etc.
are being increasingly used and are replacing the bullocks. Being, time saving,
use of modern machinery in agriculture is conducive to multiple cropping.
Because of accuracy and timelines of use of inputs by machines, the costs have
been reduced.

Feature # 6. Role of Public Institutions:

Several new public institutions like National Seeds Corporation, Agro Industries
Corporations, National Co-operative Development Corporation etc. have been
set up to promote services to the cultivators at door steps. Moreover, they have
been provided with sufficient funds to lend liberal loans to peasants to adopt
latest farm technology.

Feature # 7. Package of Inputs:

The main thrust of the new agricultural strategy is the application of the
package of improved practices. In other words, it aimed at making the
cultivators to adopt simultaneously all the elements needed for augmenting
production. The main constituents of the package practices are improved seed,
fertilizers, plant protection measures and water use etc.

Feature # 8. Guaranteed Minimum Prices:

The guaranteed minimum prices have been given due recognition as an
incentive to agricultural production. Support price policy for food-grains was
adopted in 1964 throughout the country. In order to advice the govt. for suitable
price policies for agriculture, Agricultural Price Commission was set up in the
subsequent years. Similarly, Food Corporation of India was also set up to
purchase food-grains.

Feature # 9. Agricultural Research and Education:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

A number of measures have been adopted in this direction of facilitate

organisation and development of agricultural research. The Indian Council of
Agricultural Research was reorganised in 1965. Agricultural Universities have
been set up in most of the states which were conceived as combining the
function of education, research and extension.
States Agro Industries Corporation have been set up to motivate the cultivators
for the application of improved inputs and infrastructure and further to Co-
ordinate the demand with production, quality control and distribution of
supporting services.

Feature # 10. Plant Protection Measures:

As pests and diseases have been causing severe damage to crops, plant
protection has been considered another major component of new agricultural
strategy. This programme includes seeds treatment, intensive aerial and ground
spraying against insects, weed control and rodent control.