Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
Directly addresses farmer welfare, rural economic development, and the sustainability of the agricultural sector, which are core themes in UPSC GS3. It's a strategy to address issues like unremunerative prices and dependence on specific crops.
Agricultural diversification refers to the process of shifting from traditional monoculture or low-value crops to a wider range of high-value crops, allied agricultural activities, or value-added processing, primarily to enhance farmer income, reduce risks associated with market fluctuations, and improve resource sustainability.