“India’s rising import bill in pulses and edible oils reflects a deeper crisis in crop diversification and farm income sustainability”. Evaluate the underlying structural factors contributing to this crisis. Discuss the major policy deficiencies that have aggravated the situation. Suggest sustainable solutions.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country
Q5. “India’s rising import bill in pulses and edible oils reflects a deeper crisis in crop diversification and farm income sustainability”. Evaluate the underlying structural factors contributing to this crisis. Discuss the major policy deficiencies that have aggravated the situation. Suggest sustainable solutions. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question: India’s record pulses and edible oil imports in 2024-25, exposing long-term weaknesses in crop diversification, procurement policies, and farmer income protection. Key Demand of the question: The question demands analysis of the deeper structural reasons behind rising imports, identification of specific policy failures, and suggesting viable long-term solutions to achieve self-sufficiency. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Highlight the rising import dependence and link it to structural weaknesses in diversification and farmer income security. Body Structural factors: Explain Green Revolution bias, rainfed cultivation, price risks, technological stagnation, and global competitiveness. Policy deficiencies: Cover MSP limitations, weak implementation of PM-AASHA, poor R&D investment, import duty instability, and absence of institutional frameworks. Sustainable solutions: Suggest procurement expansion, stable MSP, R&D strengthening, oilseed missions, and trade policy stabilization. Conclusion Emphasize the need for balanced procurement, strong research, and predictable policy to secure both farm incomes and national food sovereignty.
Why the question: India’s record pulses and edible oil imports in 2024-25, exposing long-term weaknesses in crop diversification, procurement policies, and farmer income protection.
Key Demand of the question: The question demands analysis of the deeper structural reasons behind rising imports, identification of specific policy failures, and suggesting viable long-term solutions to achieve self-sufficiency.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Highlight the rising import dependence and link it to structural weaknesses in diversification and farmer income security.
• Structural factors: Explain Green Revolution bias, rainfed cultivation, price risks, technological stagnation, and global competitiveness.
• Policy deficiencies: Cover MSP limitations, weak implementation of PM-AASHA, poor R&D investment, import duty instability, and absence of institutional frameworks.
• Sustainable solutions: Suggest procurement expansion, stable MSP, R&D strengthening, oilseed missions, and trade policy stabilization.
Conclusion Emphasize the need for balanced procurement, strong research, and predictable policy to secure both farm incomes and national food sovereignty.