Devinder Sharma News - India Together

RURAL INDIA
The case of sustainable poverty in rural India

In what appears to be a damning indictment of the Five Year Plans, launched in 1951, as well as the economic reforms process that began in 1991, the first ever socio-economic survey has painted a dismal picture of rural India, says Devinder Sharma.

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FARMING CRISIS

Why relief packages and loan waivers won’t be enough to stem farm suicides

Even in regions touted as India’s food bowl, Rs 3000 a month is all that a farmer earns for his family! Devinder Sharma analyses data from CACP to highlight the grave crisis in the agrarian economy that calls for immediate and unprecedented government action.

Agriculture Farmer Suicides Ground Reality

LESSONS FROM THE SEZ EXPERIENCE

Why easy land is no guarantee of industrial growth

It’s like a scam unnoticed: even after access to over 45000 hectares of land, with massive tax exemptions and holidays, the SEZ experience has been a sorry story. Devinder Sharma discusses the flaws in the government’s economic reasoning and insists on accountability.

Public Funds Economy Land Ground Reality

AGRICULTURAL DECLINE

Rest in peace, food self-sufficiency

Ironically at a time when food shortage is being widely perceived as a potential global concern in the near future, policymakers seem to be doing everything that would take agriculture further down the path of ruin. Devinder Sharma highlights the findings of a recent NSSO report to substantiate that.

Food Security Agriculture Ground Reality

100 DAYS OF MODI GOVT

There are more things in heaven and earth than stock markets!

The media frenzy over Narendra Modi’s first 100 days in office is complemented by the cheer in markets, but Devinder Sharma sounds a caveat against judging the performance of the government by the standards of markets alone.

Agriculture Economy Government Opinions OP-ED Ground Reality

BUDGETING FOR AGRICULTURE

How about smart villages, Mr Modi?

For over two decades now, agriculture has suffered overall neglect as successive governments, led by World-Bank prescribed growth models, have issued disproportionate doles to industry. While the present allocations do not spell much hope, Devinder Sharma suggests what the Modi government may still do to reverse the trend.

Agriculture Economy Agriculture Policy Ground Reality

SEED EXCHANGE

A silent revolution brewing on our farms

An increasing number of farmers from across the country are flocking to the annual rice sharing festival in Tamil Nadu, where a whopping number of traditional rice seed varieties are exchanged and subsequently cultivated in different locales. Devinder Sharma reports from the 2014 event.

Food Security Agriculture Ground Reality

AGRICULTURE REFORMS

Can farmers look ahead to “acche din” as well?

Narendra Modi’s attention to the woes and plight of farmers during election campaigning has raised a lot of hope for improvement among members of the beleaguered community, but can he deliver? Devinder Sharma presents an 11-point prescription for turning the agricultural sector around.

Agriculture Economy Farmer Suicides Government Ground Reality

GLOBAL TRADE

Will The NYT bat against Washington apples in India?

A recent editorial in The New York Times rightly recognises the flaws of a growth model driven by lower trade barriers. But Devinder Sharma wonders if the American daily will take a stand and extend its arguments to champion the cause of all nations, including India.

Agricultural Trade Trade Economy Ground Reality

GM EFFECT

A few facts for GM-advocate Manmohan Singh

At the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his faith in the potential of biotechnology for agricultural development. Devinder Sharma discusses findings that raise questions about the basis of his conviction.

GM Crops OP-ED Agriculture Policy Ground Reality

EASING FARM WOES

FDI: Neither necessary, nor sufficient

Though FDI in retail is being projected as a cure-all for the ills in the agriculture and food sector, Devinder Sharma cites examples from the world over to argue why we should not be pinning our hopes on it.

Agricultural Trade OP-ED Ground Reality

STATE VERDICTS 2013

Bad Economics, bad politics

The real reason behind the Congress' performance in the recently concluded Assembly Elections may not be the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party per se, but more the economic concerns of the real aam aadmi. Devinder Sharma analyses.

Opinions OP-ED Ground Reality

TRADE OR HUNGER

US-EU spanner in the works of India's food security programme

India's food security bill is on top of the negotiating agenda for the forthcoming WTO Conference at Bali. Devinder Sharma explains why the likely compromise in the face of posturing from developed countries could have serious ramifications for food security and self-sufficiency.

Food Security Agricultural Trade OP-ED Ground Reality

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Amitabha Basu

Retired Scientist
India Together reader