Do you know if you reverse the scenarios, you will be the actual poor? If we followed this slogan, i.e., “Jo Jameen Ko Jote Uski Jamin Ho,” which means he who tills the land owns the land, they would be rich as those times. Food is the basis of survival, and whoever controls it controls the people. To date, despite numerous changes, agriculture continues to provide 42.3% of livelihood support. Do you know why you are poor even now? There is a hospital in every colony now. why? Because our food has become poison. Children are suffering from diseases that were once rare in old age. Every home has a box full of medicines. We are on drugs all day, every day.
We are still surviving today because we inherited immunity from them. But will our children get the same chance? If we keep eating this way, growing this way, and ignoring the land that feeds us.
And here’s the biggest irony: organic food, once freely available to all, is now so expensive that only the rich can afford it. What once grew in every backyard is now sold with a premium tag in elite markets. Because the thing is that we get for free, we never value or utilize it properly.
India, the agrarian state, is blessed with the most fertile land, the richest biodiversity, and a culture of farming that sustained the world. We should be proud to say we are the feeders. But we misused it, neglected it, and sold it. And now we are in a position to buy it from others.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, launched “Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth” to make India a developed nation by 2047. This year was chosen as it is the 100th year of independence . This right to farm can make this vision a success.
In 1990s–2000s: India’s agri-export was around $35–$45 billion, with a rising import bill approaching $15–$20 billion, especially for edible oils and pulses. In FY 2023–24, India’s agri and allied exports reached approximately $50 billion and Total agricultural imports in FY 2023–24 stood at roughly ₹2.712 trillion (~$32 billion), down about 26.4% from the previous fiscal.
What can we do?
We need to repatriate agriculture ourselves. Providing the farmers Right to Farm, which allows them to own land, obtain seeds, natural techniques and market influence will help India: By producing sufficient pulses, oilseeds and spices we can do away with the importation of these products to avert existing import bills. Enhance the local kinds and achieve self-sufficiency.
India is endowed with medicinal herbs that can be called medicinal country, we can endorse medicinal and aromatic herbs. Use Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala etc. to produce herbs like turmeric, ashwagandha, basil, and lemongrass in a sustainable way. Take advantage of R&D centers (e.g. HRDI of Uttaraakhand has listed 1,800 medicinal species) Only 18 per cent of GDP are contributed by agriculture, although it offers 45 per cent of employment. It is possible to narrow this divide and agri-economy with revamp brings up income and the discomfort of rural areas.
We will also particularly bring the right to farm notion. India has ratified Rights to Education (Article 21A), Rights to Life (Article 21) and even Rights to Livelihood (as extended by the Supreme Court). However, there is no loosely stated Right to Farm. Farmers have no right over their farms, no rights over the seeds and can easily be displaced or exploited. There are fragmented laws such as Forest Rights Act (2006), PESA (1996), and environmental legislations among others, which are not well enforced. The market laws continue to apprise corporations and middlemen. The farmer is not empowered or guarded.
Navdanya Movement and Agricultural Justice Navdanya movement of Dr. Vandana Shiva has acted like a siren against the corporate domination of agriculture. It was founded in 1987 and promotes biodiversity, organic farming, seed freedom and rights of the farmers. Navdanya encourages saving of seeds, campaigns against GMOs and is involved in empowering women farmers. It has established community seed banks, taught thousands of people organic methods and has launched legal challenges against biopiracy. Navdanya shows that the ecological farming is not only possible but mandatory. However, these are mere movements that cannot be relied on unless they are supported with legal and constitutional change.
What If the Right to Farm Becomes a Constitutional Right?
• Legal Protection Farmers can claim protection against land grabs, forced evictions, and unfair contracts.
• Access to land, water, and seed would become justiciable rights.
• Guaranteed Income MSP can be made a legal right.
• Minimum income guarantees can be extended to farming families.
• Land Reforms with Real Redistribution
• Landless farmers and tenants can be given ownership rights.
• Tribal and Dalit cultivators can gain legal security.
• Community and Ecological Benefits Promote seed sovereignty and community seed banks.
• Ban harmful agrochemicals and promote agroecology.
• Revival of Food Quality and Health Healthy, pesticide-free food would reduce lifestyle diseases.
• Hospitals would become less crowded. Future generations would regain immunity.
• Education and Respect for Farming Farming should be taught in schools.
• Agriculture must regain its dignity as a profession.
Is it hard to make India an agrarian society again?

1. In 2016, Sikkim became the world’s first 100% organic state . it has Banned all chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Trained over 66,000 farmers in organic methods. Built compost units and organic markets. Increased soil fertility and biodiversity. Attracted eco-tourism and gained international recognition.
   It was awarded the UN’s Future Policy Gold Award (2018) for best policy on agroecology.
2. Andhra Pradesh Community-managed Natural Farming (APCNF) based on Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) by Subhash Palekar. Over 8 lakh farmers practicing natural farming (as of 2023). No chemical inputs, focus on cow dung, jeevamrit, mulching, etc. Focused on climate-resilient agriculture.
   Not only these, even other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Kerala have proved that we can change ourselves.
   The very best part is that Aadavi, also known as Nova, became the world’s first carbon-neutral baby, as recognized by the Asia Book of Records. Her parents, Dinesh and Janaga Nandhini, planted 6,000 fruit-and-forest trees across farmland before she was born, ensuring that her roughly 2 tonnes/year carbon footprint would be offset over time.
   Making Agriculture a Core Subject from the Start
   Agriculture is not an occupation but also a way of life. Our elders used to be one with the land, and we were not weak because of what they knew. Today, however, children are raised ignorant about the origin of their food. Schools are taught how to do all things other than farming, yet food is the first need of life. They need to be taught farming at the most basic level as they do math or science. By educating children about the land, we are teaching them respect towards nature, wellbeing, and the value of a good work ethic. To have a self-reliant and strong India then we have to revive farming in education.
   Conclusion:
   When we seriously think of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, then the process should start where it has always started, on the soil, the seed, and the farmer. No country can develop based on destroyed farmlands and the food systems that fail to get attention. The legal changes of acknowledging the Right to Farm are just part of it, it is a statement about justice, sustainable agriculture, and sovereignty. It is a pledge to remember people who feed the country and save our planet which gives us everything to eat.
   India is a country endowed with the youngest population on the planet, a generation that is strong, innovative, and has a cause to live. Can you imagine what this young generation could do in case even a small percentage of them reconcile with the land, rediscover the wisdom of their forefathers, adopt agroecology, and create sustainability-based agri-businesses? Once they make a step in the direction of agriculture, India will soar into change. The farmer is by no means a producer of food; he is a healer of soil, a keeper of biodiversity, and the soul of the country.
   The Sikkim 100 % organic model to the Andhra natural farming revolution, and its seed banks to the carbon-neutral farming families – the examples are already multiplying. Before we get that, there must be constitutional will, policy clarity and generation involvement.
   Why don’t we put agriculture not only into our economy, but also into our Constitution and our classrooms? This is the one where we need to inspire our younger generation not just to be consumers but producers. Bharat becomes not only self-reliant at the time of bountiful agriculture, but also Viksit.