THE NEWS IN PROPORTION
20 October 2017
Opinions : Devinder Sharma
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.
Livelihood Opinions Poverty

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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 Government opinions Economy 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
India Together offers an excellent forum for people from diverse fields of expertise to present their views, share their experiences and raise questions about where our country and society are headed in the future.
Amitabha Basu
  • Retired Scientist
  • National Physical
  • Laboratory
  • India Together reader
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