Why is agricultural diversification essential for sustainable livelihoods?

Question

Accepted Answer

Agricultural diversification implies diversification of crop production and shifting of agricultural workforce to other allied activities such as livestock, poultry, fisheries, etc. and the non-agriculture sector. The shift from crop farming to non-farm employment is essential in order to raise income and to explore alternative avenues of sustainable livelihood.

The importance of agricultural diversification can be explained with the help of the following points:

1. A substantial portion of Indian farming is dependent on the vagaries of monsoon, making it a risky affair to rely solely upon farming. Accordingly, diversification is needed to enable the farmers to earn from other alternative non-farm occupations. This lessens the excess burden on agriculture by reducing disguised unemployment.

2. The Kharif season opens up ample opportunities for agricultural employment. However, owing to lack of irrigation facilities, the farmers fail to get gainful employment opportunities during the Rabi season. Therefore, the need for diversification arises during the Rabi season.

3. Agriculture being overcrowded cannot further generate employment opportunities. Therefore, the prospects of the non-farm sectors should be opened up in the rural areas to provide job opportunities, thereby diverting the workforce from the already crowded agricultural sector.

4. The non-farm sector has several segments that possess dynamic linkages. Such linkages enhance the healthy growth of an economy.