Impact of Subsidies Schemes on the Development of the Agricultural Sector in Nagaland
Abstract
Agriculture plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Nagaland, whereabout seventy percent of the people are either engaged directly or indirectly to agricultural activities. Naga farmers practices old-traditional cultivation of shifting/jhum cultivation. Despite of having more than half of its population engaged in agriculture it still depends on other states of the country in many ways. Growth in agricultural sector is one of the effective means of reducing poverty in rural areas and which can be achieved through subsidies from the government. This paper highlights the impact and drawbacks of subsidies on agricultural sector in Nagaland. The study reviews the literature available in various policy documents, reports, journals and previous studies related to subsidies on agricultural sector. This study focuses in particular on the types, effects, roles, employment, economic contribution, farmer benefit, issues, and recommendations for Nagaland'sagricultural development. We contend that the Government should implement some policies where the subsidies can be effectively provided to the farmers because we recognize the necessity of subsidies for the expansion of the agricultural sector in Nagaland.
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Introduction
Agriculture is important allover the world when it comes to economic development. It contributed 4 percent of the world GDP in 2018 and up to more than 25 percent in some developing countries. The agricultural sector provides for the daily needs of more than half of India'spopulation and contributes significantly to the country'seconomy. The country that produces rice and wheat in India on a second-place basis. Indian agriculture provides a living for about 58 percent of the country'speople. Between 2019-2020 and 2020-21, the GDP share of agriculture in India increased from 17.8 to 19.9 percent. The population of Nagaland, a state in northeastern India with 1.65 million hectares, was 1,978,502 as of the 2011 census. The majority of people in Nagaland work in agriculture, either directly or indirectly, making it a significant economic activity there. 70 percent of the population in Nagaland, a hilly state with abundant natural resources, is employed in agriculture, making it primarily an agrarian state. High-yielding crops in the state of Nagaland include rice, oilseeds, tobacco, pulses, fibers, sugarcane, potato, corn, and millets. Nagaland is primarily an area of traditional jhum/shifting agriculture because of its topographical terrain. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Nagaland in 2011–12 was approximately 12,065 cores. Forestry and agriculture account for the majority of Nagaland's GDP. About 80 percent of the cropped land in Nagaland is used for growing rice. Despite the fact that Nagaland has a sizable agricultural population, the state is dependent on other Indian states for its production due to alack of resources. Low productivity may be caused by a variety of factors, including outdated agricultural practises, alack of funding for the purchase of modern tools and machinery, poor marketing infrastructure, alack of skills, etc. The state department of agriculture was established in 1963 with the declaration of Nagaland as the 16th state under the Indian Union and is currently headed by Director. During the 12th five-year plan, the Indian government (GOI) introduced several national flagship programmes with a focus on sustainable agricultural development. It implemented a number of programmes, such as RKVY, NEC, PMKSY, ATMA, NFSM, EARAS, etc., which significantly aided in the advancement of agriculture. By implementing various agricultural policies, the Nagaland government has taken a proactive approach and worked hard to strengthen the economy. Given that agriculture is the primary source of livelihood in rural India, both the Nagaland and the Indian governments have been offering various subsidies and programmes to improve the country'sagricultural sector.
Conclusion
Subsidies play an important role in promoting an economic and social policy of a country by supporting the economic sector, for a state like Nagaland without the help of subsidies, the development of the agricultural sector is not possible as it lacks various facilities and technologies required for improvement of the agricultural sector. The subsidies and schemes in the agriculture sector of Nagaland aim to promote sustainable agriculture practices, increase agricultural productivity, and improve farmers’ income. These schemes provide financial assistance for various activities such as infrastructure development, the use of modern farming techniques, and the promotion of organic farming. While there are some positive impacts of subsidies and schemes on the agricultural sector in Nagaland, it is important to note that the impact can vary depending on the specific scheme and the region in which it is implemented. Effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation are important factors in ensuring that the full potential of these subsidies and schemes is realized. The agriculture sector is a crucial contributor to the economy of Nagaland, providing employment, contributing to the GDP, generating export earnings, ensuring food security, and driving rural development. Given the vast potential of the sector, there is a need for sustained efforts to promote the growth and development of agriculture in the state. The state government has initiated various schemes and programs to promote employment in agriculture, including skill development programs, financial assistance, and support for the development of agro-based industries. It requires a multipronged approach that involves improving access to credit, irrigation, and storage facilities, promoting modern farming practices, encouraging the use of high-yielding crop varieties, and investing in research and development in agriculture. The effective implementation of subsidies and schemes in the agriculture sector of Nagaland can be achieved through awareness and outreach, timely disbursement of funds, customized schemes, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and public-private partnerships. These measures can lead to a more sustainable and productive agriculture sector in Nagaland.
