In a compelling fireside chat at the Krishi Vikram: Transforming Agriculture for a Secure Future of Viksit Bharat event, hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India, outlined a bold and future-oriented vision for India’s agriculture sector, linking it directly to the country’s aspiration of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
Moderated by Rahul Rishi, Partner, Consulting GPS Leader, Ernst & Young (EY) the conversation delved into the fundamental shifts required in workforce planning, diversification, skilling, and capital investment to reshape agriculture as a driver of inclusive growth and employment.
Opening the discussion, Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, Government of India emphasized, “Agriculture will play a much more important role in employment than growth as India moves towards Viksit Bharat. We must rethink how we view agriculture—not just as farming, but as part of an integrated agri-food system that can ensure both economic upliftment and sustainability.”
He cited striking data indicating that while agriculture’s share in employment had reduced to 43% in 2011-12, recent trends show a rebound to 46%, driven by a sharp rise in rural women's workforce participation. “This surge isn’t due to demographic transition alone—it's a conscious entry of women into the labour force in rural India. This is a silent revolution we must recognize and support,” he added.
Key Takeaways from the Dialogue:
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Reskilling 15–18 crore workers will be essential as the nature of agri jobs shifts from traditional cultivation to high-tech, value-driven roles like drone operators, agronomists, and precision agriculture specialists.
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There is an urgent need to formalize and upskill the rural women workforce, ensuring their growing participation translates into dignity, higher wages, and long-term security.
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Prof. Chand called for agriculture to be repositioned as a demand-led, high-value system, especially through diversification into horticulture, livestock, and fisheries. “The per-hectare productivity of fruits and vegetables is six times that of field crops,” he noted.
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On growth targets, he pointed out that India’s agriculture sector has shown promising acceleration—achieving 4.6% growth, with some states surpassing 7%. “To meet the 8% national growth target, agriculture must maintain a ‘new normal’ of 5% growth.”
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Highlighting capital needs, Prof. Chand stated, “While farmers contribute 85% of all agri investments, corporate participation is a mere 0.2%. Without modern capital—whether through private, startup, or institutional routes—agriculture cannot transform.”
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He also endorsed a rationalization of GST on food products to boost domestic demand and incentivize food processing, logistics, and allied industries.
The session concluded with a resounding acknowledgment of ICC’s foresight in choosing such a timely and critical theme. Prof. Chand praised ICC for its 100-year legacy, stating, “It is heartening to see advocacy for agriculture becoming central to centennial celebrations. This reflects a deep understanding of the sector’s pivotal role in India’s future.”
