Vegetable production: A probable pathway for healthy nation and doubling farmers' income

Abstract

Indian economy is an agrarian economy. During the last 50 years India has achieved self-sufficiency in foodgrains production. The contribution of farming community is appreciable for achieving this giant goal. But the country is still lagging in combating agrarian crisis and nutritional insecurity. Unexpectedly low returns from agriculture on account of either occurrence of natural calamities or low farmer's share in consumer's price are compelling them to commit suicide. Variation of prices of vegetables and other horticultural prices affect the farmers' income and also have impact on consumers' pocket. Realizing these facts, the government has initiated steps to enhance the income of the cultivators. Operation Greens and Operation Blue are steps to provide sustainable prices and to stop the wastage of vegetables of the farmers and also to address the nutritional requirement of malnourished population of the country. If implemented in proper ways, it may help in augmenting the cultivators' income and may save consumers from price variations.