Harvesting the Future: Mechanisation, Free Trade, and Policy Changes in Agriculture

Despite achieving record foodgrain production, India’s agriculture sector remains caught in a paradox of persistent farmer poverty and escalating vulnerability. The e-book, Harvesting the Future: Mechanisation, Free Trade, and Policy Changes in Agriculture, provides a multi-faceted analysis of its critical state. Authored by policy experts, scientists, and leaders, the essays in this e-book touch upon a wide range of topics — from climate change impact and the food security debate to farmer distress and the adoption of modern technology.The book also takes a critical look at past and present government policies, from the Green Revolution’s legacy to recent initiatives like PM-KISAN and other controversial farm laws. But moving beyond a mere diagnosis of agrarian distress, the book also proposes a new, integrated vision for agriculture. It argues that addressing structural threats requires a fundamental “system” transformation rather than siloed, production-centric initiatives. It calls for a holistic “food systems” approach that balances economic viability, ecological sustainability, and nutritional security.By exploring the intersections of technology infusion, cooperative movements, and robust, equitable policy frameworks, it provides a comprehensive roadmap for a more resilient, sustainable, and democratic agricultural future that places the farmer’s livelihood firmly at its centre.What’s inside?• Fields of uncertainty: India’s agriculture waiting for a ‘system’ transformation by T. Nandakumar• Promoting Aquaculture technology infusion and start-ups in India by Abhilaksh Likhi• India needs a new architecture to manage increasing compound climatic risks in agriculture by Pramod Kumar Aggarwal• Digital technologies and automation in Indian farming: current status and adoption by Devinder Dhingra• Between food security and free trade: Indian agriculture at the WTO and beyond by Poornima Varma• The agrarian question in neoliberal India: farmers’ resistance and the struggle for democratic transformation by Ashok Dhawale• Punjab’s new farm policy: agricultural development through cooperatives by Sukhpal SinghPlease find the links & content of the e-book on Agriculture here -To download a sample of the e-book: https://newsth.live/Harvesting_the_Future_SampleTo read the e-book, subscribe here: https://www.thehindu.com/premium/ebook/ Published - September 01, 2026 11:17 am IST