2 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Agricultural Policy

What is Agricultural Policy?

Agricultural Policy encompasses a set of government decisions and actions relating to domestic agriculture. It aims to achieve specific outcomes for the agricultural sector, including food security, farmer welfare, productivity enhancement, and sustainable resource use.

Historical Background

Post-independence, India's agricultural policy focused on land reforms, irrigation, and then the Green Revolution (1960s-70s) to achieve food self-sufficiency. Subsequent policies addressed farmer income, diversification, and sustainability.

Key Points

6 points
  • 1.

    Objectives: Ensuring food and nutritional security, enhancing farmer income, increasing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring price stability for agricultural produce.

  • 2.

    Key Instruments: Subsidies (fertilizer, power, irrigation, credit), Minimum Support Price (MSP) for major crops, Agricultural Credit (Kisan Credit Card, institutional credit), Irrigation Development (PMKSY, AIBP), Crop Insurance (PMFBY), Research and Extension (ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras), Market Reforms (e-NAM, APMC reforms), Land Reforms and land use planning.

  • 3.

    Challenges: Small landholdings, climate change vulnerability, market access issues, post-harvest losses, disguised unemployment, and indebtedness.

  • 4.

    Focus Areas: Diversification towards high-value crops, organic farming, precision agriculture, agri-tech, and value chain development.

  • 5.

    Role of States: Agriculture is a state subject, so state policies play a crucial role alongside central initiatives.

  • 6.

    Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Promotion of FPOs to enhance farmer bargaining power and access to markets.

Visual Insights

Key Components of Agricultural Policy in India

Mind map illustrating the key components of agricultural policy in India, including MSP, subsidies, and infrastructure.

Agricultural Policy

  • Price Support
  • Input Subsidies
  • Infrastructure
  • Credit & Insurance

Recent Developments

6 developments

Introduction and subsequent repeal of the three farm laws (2020-2021) aimed at market liberalization.

Increased focus on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for various agricultural subsidies (e.g., PM-KISAN).

Promotion of FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) to enhance farmer bargaining power.

Emphasis on digital agriculture and use of technology for better farm management.

Initiatives to promote natural farming and reduce chemical fertilizer use.

Addressing challenges of climate change through climate-resilient agriculture.

This Concept in News

3 topics

Delhi Chalo: Farmers' Protest Intensifies, Demanding MSP Guarantee

18 Feb 2026

The farmers' protest demanding a legal guarantee for MSP highlights the critical role of agricultural policy in ensuring farmer welfare. (1) This news demonstrates the importance of price support mechanisms within agricultural policy. (2) The protest challenges the existing MSP system, arguing that it is not effectively reaching all farmers or covering all crops. (3) The news reveals the growing discontent among farmers regarding income security and the perceived inadequacy of current policies. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future include potential policy changes to strengthen the MSP system or explore alternative income support mechanisms. (5) Understanding agricultural policy, particularly the MSP system, is crucial for analyzing the farmers' demands, the government's response, and the potential impact on the agricultural sector and the broader economy. The protest underscores the need for a more comprehensive and farmer-centric agricultural policy.

Amit Shah Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Spreading Lies on Trade

16 Feb 2026

This news underscores the importance of understanding the trade-related aspects of agricultural policy. It demonstrates how government assurances regarding farmer protection become central to political discourse. The news applies the concept of agricultural policy in practice by showing how trade agreements are framed and defended in the context of farmer welfare. It reveals the ongoing tension between promoting free trade and protecting domestic agricultural interests. The implications of this news are that public perception and trust in government policies are crucial for their success. Understanding agricultural policy is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the government's objectives, the tools it uses, and the potential impact of trade agreements on farmers and the agricultural sector. It helps in critically evaluating the claims and counter-claims made by different political actors.

India Resumes Wheat Exports After Four-Year Ban Amid Global Demand

14 Feb 2026

The news of India resuming wheat exports demonstrates the dynamic nature of agricultural policy. (1) It highlights the aspect of trade policy within the broader agricultural policy framework. (2) The initial ban was likely implemented to control domestic wheat prices and ensure sufficient supply for domestic consumption. Resuming exports suggests that domestic supply is now considered adequate, and the government aims to capitalize on global demand. (3) This reveals the government's ability to adapt its policies based on changing market conditions and domestic needs. (4) The implication is that India aims to become a more reliable exporter of agricultural commodities, potentially boosting its foreign exchange reserves and supporting farmers. (5) Understanding agricultural policy is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the government's decisions and their potential impact on various stakeholders.

Source Topic

Delhi Chalo: Farmers' Protest Intensifies, Demanding MSP Guarantee

Economy

UPSC Relevance

Highly significant for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Agriculture, Food Processing, Land Reforms), frequently asked in Prelims (schemes, facts) and Mains (policy analysis, challenges, solutions).

Key Components of Agricultural Policy in India

Mind map illustrating the key components of agricultural policy in India, including MSP, subsidies, and infrastructure.

Agricultural Policy

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

Fertilizer Subsidy

Power Subsidy

Irrigation Projects

Storage Facilities

Agricultural Credit

Crop Insurance (PMFBY)

Connections
Agricultural PolicyPrice Support
Agricultural PolicyInput Subsidies
Agricultural PolicyInfrastructure
Agricultural PolicyCredit & Insurance

This Concept in News

3 news topics

3

Delhi Chalo: Farmers' Protest Intensifies, Demanding MSP Guarantee

18 February 2026

The farmers' protest demanding a legal guarantee for MSP highlights the critical role of agricultural policy in ensuring farmer welfare. (1) This news demonstrates the importance of price support mechanisms within agricultural policy. (2) The protest challenges the existing MSP system, arguing that it is not effectively reaching all farmers or covering all crops. (3) The news reveals the growing discontent among farmers regarding income security and the perceived inadequacy of current policies. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future include potential policy changes to strengthen the MSP system or explore alternative income support mechanisms. (5) Understanding agricultural policy, particularly the MSP system, is crucial for analyzing the farmers' demands, the government's response, and the potential impact on the agricultural sector and the broader economy. The protest underscores the need for a more comprehensive and farmer-centric agricultural policy.

Amit Shah Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Spreading Lies on Trade

16 February 2026

This news underscores the importance of understanding the trade-related aspects of agricultural policy. It demonstrates how government assurances regarding farmer protection become central to political discourse. The news applies the concept of agricultural policy in practice by showing how trade agreements are framed and defended in the context of farmer welfare. It reveals the ongoing tension between promoting free trade and protecting domestic agricultural interests. The implications of this news are that public perception and trust in government policies are crucial for their success. Understanding agricultural policy is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for understanding the government's objectives, the tools it uses, and the potential impact of trade agreements on farmers and the agricultural sector. It helps in critically evaluating the claims and counter-claims made by different political actors.

India Resumes Wheat Exports After Four-Year Ban Amid Global Demand

14 February 2026

The news of India resuming wheat exports demonstrates the dynamic nature of agricultural policy. (1) It highlights the aspect of trade policy within the broader agricultural policy framework. (2) The initial ban was likely implemented to control domestic wheat prices and ensure sufficient supply for domestic consumption. Resuming exports suggests that domestic supply is now considered adequate, and the government aims to capitalize on global demand. (3) This reveals the government's ability to adapt its policies based on changing market conditions and domestic needs. (4) The implication is that India aims to become a more reliable exporter of agricultural commodities, potentially boosting its foreign exchange reserves and supporting farmers. (5) Understanding agricultural policy is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the government's decisions and their potential impact on various stakeholders.