Over the years, inaccurate estimations of electricity consumption have led to untargeted approaches being applied to optimise power sector. “The entire idea of agriculture has changed now. We (farmers) are burdened with water shortage, climatic inconsistencies and slashed electricity subsidies. Even then, our fields are only our responsibility,” said Ashok Patil, a farmer from Shirol taluka of Kolhapur district. Patil has been cultivating sugarcane for over four decades now. In most developing nations across the world, agriculture continues to be the dominant source of livelihood. But it often comes at the cost of state resources. The critical position held by agriculture in the economy requires us to take a deeper look into the major drivers of this sector and the medium of growth.