Policy

The cultivation of primarily wheat and paddy in Punjab is increasingly depleting groundwater supplies in the region, and thus crop diversification is an important path to reducing water use. Here, archaeological research carried out by FP4 researchers Dr Cameron Petrie and Dr Adam Green which demonstrates the relevance of ancient agricultural practices to a modern water shortage is put in conversation with policy targets proposed by FP4 researchers Dr Shruti Bhogal and Dr Kamal Vatta to promote crop diversification in Punjab.

Agriculture continues to play an important role in developing economies, yet with increasing rural-urban migration, ageing farm population, and waning interest of rural youth in agriculture, its sustainability is increasingly under threat. Here, Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr S. Nedumaran from ICRISAT and Flagship Project 1 shares results from a recent research paper with colleague Swamikannu Nedumaran, looking at aspirations amongst rural youth.

​ Justifications for supporting India’s agricultural sector typically lack an environmental perspective. A solution to this could be to think of the benefits of farming as public goods. Here, Flagship Project 1 intern Anna Gardner discusses a public goods case for public support to agriculture in India.

With the onset of Kharif (monsoon) in the southern states of India, the majority of farmers have started procurement of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Amidst COVID-19 induced disruptions in input production and distribution, the state governments are making efforts to ensure timely distribution of inputs to farmers. Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr Nedumaran Swamikannu's recent field survey in Warangal rural district allowed them to investigate emerging issues around inputs. Here, they summarise their findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis but an economic crisis too. In particular, the anxiety and fear COVID-19 has created among the poor is unprecedented. It has also created a double burden for this group; loss of income now and loss of hope, or aspirations, for the future. Here, Dr Ravi Nandi and Dr S. Nedumaran from Flagship Project 1 at ICRISAT examine the evidence for policies to improve aspirations in times of crisis.

On Thursday 5 March 2020 TIGR2ESS Flagship Project (FP) 5 held a workshop on policy interventions for agri-business in Punjab. This event, held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) , Ludhiana, was co-hosted by key members of FP5, Dr Sandeep Kapur (PAU) and Dr Jag Srai (University of Cambridge), and chaired by PAU Vice Chancellor Dr BS Dhillon. In attendance were key state government officials, including Suresh Kumar (Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister), Viswajeet Khanna (Additional Chief Secretary, Development), and leaders from the major state Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Cooperatives.

Amidst the ongoing debate about mismatched demand and supply of water for farm use, alongside escalating cost of irrigation in rural Punjab, disused village ponds – and surface water in general – are now being promoted as a cost-effective incremental water source. Here, Dr Shruti Bhogal from Flagship Project 4 , based at the Centres for International Projects Trust, New Delhi, discusses the importance of reviving these ponds as a sustainable water source for the future.