Through the Looking Glass

Notes from a Live Webinar co-hosted by Axis Bank and agribazaar The panel was represented by senior government officials, investors, developmental agencies, agri-industrialists and a banker. The reforms undertaken by the Government were outlined and explained by the four Secretaries to the Government of India. These reforms have been variously called the "watershed moment", "1991 moment", and the "unshackling" of Indian agriculture, especially since they converted the Covid-19 crisis into a massive opportunity. A good start with many reforms With almost half a billion people associated directly or indirectly with Indian agriculture, any change here impacts incomes, jobs, social status, and prosperity for them. These changes fit in well with the Government's commitment to double farmers' incomes. The three big changes that have taken place are: (1) abolition of the monopoly of local mandi, or agriculture yard, where the farmer was required to ...

The Hindu Business Line India needs to diversify its agriculture, break out of the cereals trap The country's agriculture has mostly revolved around inputs required to make farming viable and successful. But it is high time that agriculture is viewed from the perspective of the output that country wants from the sector. Nutrition guidelines that the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) lays down specify food calories and portions for individuals in various age, gender and work categories. NIN guidelines go into great detail on the quantum of calories that Indians of various work-profiles and gender need and the food source from which such calories should come from. Looking at the NIN-recommended portions of food for each category of people alongside data from census and NSSO, it is easy to determine the country's annual food quantity requirements. It is worth noting that the peak recommended calorie requirements in India for men and women (3,490 and...

The Economic Times The outlook for agriculture in India is changing: price rises are lifting realisations , which are being reinvested in productivity growth. The outlook for agriculture in India is changing: price increases are lifting realisations, which, in turn, are being reinvested in productivity enhancements. Small changes in the agricultural value chain can add up to a substantial improvement in yield and productivity. India ranks high in terms of total production of various commodities including milk (first), wheat (second), rice (second), fruits and vegetables (second). Increasing prices of commodities via government support MSPs or general inflation (milk, fruits and vegetables) have led to a doubling of farmer incomes over this decade. Thanks to the injection of funds by the government through various schemes (like MG-NREGA and PM Gram Sadak Yojana), the Indian heartland is witnessing a bout of prosperity. However, low yields (across all staples and milk) highlight...