Role of science and technology for agricultural revival in India, Prof. Seema Joshi
Prof. Seema Joshi
Department of India Studies
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Kirori Mal College
University of Delhi, Delhi
India
Email: seemajoshi143@gmail.com
DOI: 10.1108/20425941211244261
Purpose: Several empirical studies have shown that the “servicization” of India ' s economy has taken place in terms of structural changes in GDP. But the structural changes in terms of employment have been slow, as agriculture is still the mainstay of more than 50 per cent of the total workforce. Though agriculture is still the predominant sector of the economy in terms of employment and livelihood, it is losing its dynamism. The country has been striving to achieve target of 4 per cent growth in agriculture since the 8th Five Year Plan so essential for achieving the objective of “inclusive growth”. However, the country is nowhere near the goal even in the penultimate year of 11th Five year Plan. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the need for application of science and technology in India ' s agriculture to ensure sustainable development of agriculture with food security and also for tapping the “demographic dividend”. The agricultural crisis in India motivated the author to take up this study.
Design/methodology/approach: The present study mainly used secondary sources of data. The analysis of secondary data available in various documents, reports etc. revealed that agriculture in India is indeed passing through crisis. The review of literature revealed that science and technology can play a crucial role in rejuvenation of India ' s agriculture.
Findings: The paper shows that an integrated application of science and technology with social wisdom can help in checking the most serious form of brain-drain (i.e. migration of youth from rural to urban areas), mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and rejuvenate/revive India' s agriculture so very essential for sustainability of India' s growth, as has been stressed by Swaminathan.
Originality/value: The paper emphasizes the need for application of science and technology in India ' s agriculture to ensure sustainable development of agriculture with food security.
Keywords: India; Agriculture; Economic development; Servicization; Structural changes; Inclusive growth; Agricultural crisis; Technology fatigue; Food security; Demographic dividend; Climate change; Rejuvenation.
Citation: Joshi, S. (2012), "Role of science and technology for agricultural revival in India", World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 108-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/20425941211244261
