Group Discussion on Agriculture

Agriculture plays a vital role in Indian economy and Agriculture related topics are quite common in Group Discussions. Over 58% of rural households in India depend on agriculture as a means of livelihood. One of the largest contributors to GDP, agriculture and allied sectors are expected to be 17.3 percent of GVA during 2016-2017 at 2011-2012 prices, according to the 2nd advance estimates by CSO.

In this article, we get you some facts and quotes that will help you in dealing with Group Discussions on Agriculture and other related topics. Also listed are some of the most important GD topics that you must prepare on Agriculture.

Some Facts:

• Currently, India is the largest spice producer, exporter and consumer.
• Its fruit production is also phenomenal, with India pegged as the world’s second largest producer of foods.
• India, according to CSO’s first advance estimate, is set to produce horticulture output of 287.3 MT in 2016-2017.
• Currently, India ranks third in farm and agricultural outputs.
• The agro industry is divided in segments like canned, dairy, processed, frozen foods to grains, meat and poultry.
• Agriculture is an economic sector with great importance in India. Nearly 70% of the Indian population is currently engaged in economic activities.

Whether you are looking for agri-engineering, agri-business, or agri-enterprise topics, this list below can help. From SHGs to rural agriculture, all the key topics that cab be asked on a Agriculture related GD are presented below.

Important Group Discussion Topics on Agriculture:

1. More Subsidies to Farmers or a Better Mechanism for Loan - What should Govt. do?
2. Villages are the Pride of India.
3. Advanced food processing technologies or Organic Farming?
4. Are Farm Subsidies Necessary?
5. Is Agriculture a Fertile Ground for Digitalisation?
6. Will Population Growth impact Agricultural Sector Negatively?
7. Does Agriculture promote rural development?
8. Will Urbanization stop the development of rural agro-businesses?
9. Is Agriculture in India evolving or devolving?
10. Will Agroforestry Destroy the Environment?
11. Can Aqua farming help the Indian Economy?
12. Are Agricultural Subsidies Causing More Harm Than Good?
13. Is Automation in Agriculture a Good Thing?
14. Are Agricultural Subsidies Still Relevant?
15. Biotechnologies in Agro Food Processing: Opportunity or Challenge?
16. Climate Impact on Farming System and Food Supply
17. Collective Farming: Boon or Bane?
18. Conventional or Organic Farming?
19. Don’t End Agricultural Subsidies, Modify Them
20. Effect of Global Warming on Agriculture
21. Genetic Engineering in Agriculture: Good or Bad?
22. Natural Versus Factory Farming
23. Organic Versus Chemical Farming
24. Organic Versus Sustainable Agriculture
25. Smart Farming: The Future of Agriculture?
26. Who Benefits from Agricultural Subsidies: Farmer or Consumer?
27. Women’s Role in Agriculture
28. Zero Budget Farming

Some Quotes you can use in Group Discussion on Agriculture related topics

"An ever-green revolution implies the enhancement of productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm. "
- M. S. Swaminathan

"Developing countries can leapfrog several stages in the development process through the application of bio-technology in agriculture. "
- M. S. Swaminathan

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings."
- Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution

"As we search for a less extractive and polluting economic order, so that we may fit agriculture into the economy of a sustainable culture, community becomes the locus and metaphor for both agriculture and culture."
- Wes Jackson, Becoming Native to This Place

Agriculture: The Opportunities

1. Vast resources: India’s agricultural sector has a vast number of natural resources at its disposal.

2. Ready Workers: India’s agricultural workforce is gradually expanding as the working age population rises.

3. Production At All Time High: For example, wheat production is touching all time high of 96.6MT in 2016-2017

4. Use of New Technologies: Biosensors, solar and wind energy, economic efficiency is coming to the agricultural sector

5. GMO: GMO technology, the use of hybrid seeds and advanced agricultural technologies are changing Indian agriculture for better

Agriculture: The Challenges

1. Food security: Indian population suffers from lack of food security and increased malnutrition

2. Subsidy Impact: The ineffective execution of subsidies is another problem.

3. Rising farmer loans: The farmer loans are on the rise and rural indebtedness is at an all time high.

4. Sustainable Farming: Eco-friendly agricultural practices like organic farming are yet to catch on

5. Food procurement and distribution: Food storage and hoarding lead to rising prices and food wastage

Conclusion

Indian agriculture has a plenty of potential, given that India is a labour intensive economy and there is a plenty of new, cost effective agri-technology on the scene. But India needs to focus on how to make farm subsidies more effective and utilise its resources in an energy efficient and economic way to boost its agricultural growth further.

We hope this GD guide on Agriculture helps you prepare for a successful group discussion.