Why Are Farmers Still Poor Even Though India Is an Agricultural Country? By Echoes Times Editorial Team India, a nation with a rich agrarian heritage, is paradoxically home to millions of poor farmers. Despite being an agricultural country where around 60% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, the farming community continues to grapple with poverty, debt, and distress. This contradiction forms one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges of modern India. In this piece, we delve into the structural, economic, and policy-related reasons why Indian farmers remain impoverished, and what steps can be taken to improve their condition. 1. Fragmented Land Holdings One of the most prominent issues plaguing Indian agriculture is land fragmentation. Over generations, as land is divided among heirs, the average size of land holdings has reduced significantly. According to the Agricultural Census of India, the average land holding was jus...