Diversification into Productive Activities

The concept of diversification conveys different meaning to different people at different levels.

In national economy, it means shift of labour from agriculture to other activities.

In agriculture sector, it is a shift from traditional cropping pattern to high value-added agriculture.

The Need of Diversification

There is greater risk involved in depending solely on farming for livelihood.

The diversification reduces the risk from agricultural sector.

It also provides other productive sustainable livelihood options to rural people.

The Kharif season concentrates much of the agricultural job activities.

Whereas in Rabi season, it was difficult to find jobs in areas with poor irrigation facilities.

Many people involved in agriculture were shifted to other non-farming sectors.

The non-farming economy has dynamic sub-sectors and home-based industries.

Agro-processing industries, food processing industries, leather industry etc. are the dynamic sub-sectors.

The home-based industries include pottery, crafts, handlooms etc.

This allows many women in rural areas to find jobs in agriculture.

Let’s learn about some of the non-farming jobs like animal husbandry, fisheries and horticulture.

Animal Husbandry

Today, the livestock sector provides alternate livelihood options to over 70 million people.

Among which poultry is practised by almost 58 percent people.

India has about 300 million cattle, including 108 million buffaloes.

The production of milk has increased more than eight times between 1951 to 2014.

This is achieved due to successful implementation of ‘Operation Flood.’

In this system, all farmers collect their milk produced as per quality.

This collected milk is processed and supplied to the market with the help of cooperatives.

This system ensures fair price and income to the farmers.

Gujarat is an example of the efficient implementation of milk cooperatives.

Amul milk is a good example of a successful cooperative.

Meat, eggs, wool and other products are also emerging productive sectors.

Fisheries

Today, total fish production accounts for 0.8% of the total GDP.

West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are major fish producing states.

Many fish workers families are poor and lack basic needs for survival.

However, a large number of women are involved in export and internal marketing.

The credit facilities through cooperatives and self-help groups should be increased for fisherwomen.

This will help them to meet the working capital requirements for marketing.

Horticulture

India is blessed with a varying climate and soil conditions.

People started to grow horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, etc.

The horticulture contributes nearly one third of agricultural output and 6% of GDP.

India emerged as the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables.

Revision

The diversification reduces the risk from the agricultural sector.

Many people involved in agriculture were shifted to other non-farming sectors.

Today, the livestock sector provides alternate livelihood options to over 70 million people.

Total fish production accounts for 0.8% of the total GDP. Many fish workers families are poor and lack basic needs for survival.

The horticulture contributes nearly one-third of agricultural output and 6% of GDP.

India emerged as the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables.

The End