Agri-Food Systems Transformation: Pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047

As India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, the most critical challenge is to reimagine how we produce, process, trade, and consume food.
Agri-food systems are central to ensuring economic growth, nutritional security, and environmental sustainability.
A holistic transformation is needed rather than incremental reforms to address the triple challenges of food, nutrition, and environment.

1. Understanding Agri-Food Systems

Definition: Complex network of activities from agricultural production (crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry) to consumption and disposal, including storage, processing, transportation, distribution, and marketing.
Components: Production, processing, distribution, consumption, disposal/reuse.
Global Economic Value:
- Agricultural output: $4.8 trillion (2024-25)
- Hidden Costs: $10–12 trillion annually due to unhealthy diets and related diseases.

2. India’s Agri-Food Scenario

Food Processing Market: Projected to reach $535 billion by 2025.
Agriculture & Allied Sectors Output: ₹29.49 lakh crore (2023-24).
Production Statistics:
- Food grains: 354 million tonnes
- Horticulture: 367 million tonnes
- Milk: 239.3 million tonnes
- Exports: $51.91 billion
Challenges:
- Nutritional deficiencies persist among children under 5 years and women of reproductive age.
- Illustrates paradox of food security with nutritional vulnerability.

3. Legacy of the Green Revolution

Focused on rice and wheat for food security and price stability.
Challenges Created:
- Soil degradation in one-third of agricultural land
- Water stress in more than half the districts
- Low soil organic carbon levels
- Rising market risks for farmers
Climate Change Impact: Intensifies existing challenges.
Government Initiatives:
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
- Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)
- National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

4. Need for an Agri-Food System Framework

Economic Disparity: Non-farm income is twice that of farming.
Shift Required: From production-centric to holistic agri-food systems.
Framework Focus:
- Economic viability for farmers
- Human health outcomes
- Environmental sustainability
Recognises entire food journey from farm to plate.

5. Triple Challenge for 2047

Food Security: Feed 1.6 billion people.
Nutrition Security: Promote millets, legumes, fruits, vegetables, fish, and dairy.
Environmental Sustainability: Reverse land degradation, conserve water, reduce GHG emissions.
Implication: Requires fundamental restructuring of agricultural practices and policies.

6. Pillars of Transformation

Research Reorientation:
- Focus on nutritional quality, regenerative practices, and resource efficiency
- Treat farms as part of ecosystems
- Promote inclusive value chain innovations
Digital Innovations:
- AI, ML, IoT, and integrated data dashboards for research and decision-making
Policy Repurposing:
- Shift subsidies from unsustainable practices to climate-resilient agriculture
- Promote eco-labelling, green credits, and true cost accounting
- Encourage private investment in agri-supply chains
Institutional Innovations:
- Strengthen FPOs, FPCs, and women’s SHGs
- Align with agri-tech start-ups and NARES
- Establish district/state-level agri-food task forces
Awareness & Cross-Sectoral Convergence:
- Promote systems thinking and capacity building
- Coordination across agriculture, water, power, rural development, food processing, fertilisers, environment, and nutrition sectors
- ICAR as catalyst for multi-sectoral collaboration

7. Implementation Imperatives

Evidence-Based Policy Making: Enables balancing economic, health, and environmental goals.
Strengthen Local Food Systems: Improves nutrition, resilience, and employment.
Job Creation: Millions of opportunities across food value chain.
Waste-to-Resource Conversion: Agricultural residues into biofuels, compost, and other products.
Sustainable Cycle: Integration of good agricultural practices and food safety standards ensures profitability and sustainability.
Global Leadership: Positions India as leader in sustainable and nutritious food production.

The transformation of agri-food systems is critical to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
India must choose comprehensive transformation over incremental reforms.
The era of systems thinking in agriculture is now, and the agri-food revolution will determine India’s economic prosperity, nutritional security, and environmental resilience.

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