Abstract
Agriculture remains India’s economic backbone, cultural identity, and social fabric, providing livelihoods for all but half the population, food security, rural livelihood, and ecological balance. Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Gram Swaraj (village self-management) located agriculture at India’s moral and material heart of freedom and development. Gandhi advocated ecologically balanced small-scale cultivation, dignity of labor, and strong village communities—values foresightful of modern agroecology and sustainable development paradigms. This paper re-examines Gandhi’s agrarian ideas, outlining its values and moral imperatives. It critically reflects upon contemporary Indian agriculture problems: degradation of soil health, water shortages, market volatility, farmer indebtedness, and environmental degradation. In contrast, we outline “Reclaim Gandhian Agriculture” strategies through revitalized village economies, large-scale adoption of agroecology, empowered cooperatives, and value-oriented education (Nai Talim). Case studies demonstrate how Gandhian values may be implemented, from Sikkim’s organic revolution to Andhra Pradesh’s Zero Budget Natural Farming. A mix of Gandhi’s moral vision and contemporary policy tools provides a transformational model for India’s twenty-first-century sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agriculture.
KEYWORDS
Gram Swaraj, Natural Farming, Agroecology, Zero Budget Natural Farming, Nai Talim, Rural Economy.
Nimai Sarkar
Research Scholar, Dept. of Philosophy, Tripura University (A Central University), Agartala-799022, Tripura, India