India Synthesis Paper Comments Prabhu Pingali

Brief Policy History 1950 – 1985Dominance of Import Substitution Policies. (agriculture and non agriculture sectors) 1985 – 2000Gradual liberalization of the industrial sector 2000 onwardsAggressive liberalization of the industrial sector & initial attempts at opening up the agriculture sector.

Food Self Sufficiency Strategy 1950sMassive food deficits. 1968Initiation of the Green Revolution Strategy for rice and wheat India achieves food self sufficiency Build up of surplus stocks onward India becomes a net food exporter.

GR Strategy Poverty / Food Security Issues Rapid decline in food prices- esp. for the urban poor. Differential impact of the GR on irrigated & rain fed environments. Agriculture’s ability to act as an engine of growth was hampered by low overall growth levels. Therefore, low non-agricultural opportunities for absorbing labor from marginal environments – persistence of poverty. Disenfranchised people lost the most.

GR Strategy The Environment What would have happened if the GR did not take place. Impact of intensification & emphasis on R-W on the irrigated environment. Spillovers/ externalities on the rain fed environment. GR policies & incentive problems. Poor macro policies & their impact on marginal lands.

Looking Ahead Policy Reform High & sustained growth in the non- agricultural sector Urbanization Global integration.