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Exit policy for agriculture

Gundappa Srinivas, e-mail

`Exit policy for agriculture' is a right concept and needs to be pursued by all.

Take the case of Israel which has a meagre land area of which most of it not agro-friendly. But it is able to export agro-products worth billions of dollars much more than our Indian exports.

It is time some drastic reforms are introduced in this sector. There are two options: Allow MNCs to enter the Indian agricultural sector, that is, they can come here, buy the agro lands and undertake the entire operations provided they follow some rules such as:

* Setting up high-class rural infrastructure and community development works.

* Provide subsidised foodgrains to the agro farmers and the others working in the big firms.

* Fully co-operate with other NGOs for developing green belt, water conservation, organic farming, and so on.

Farmers have small or medium holdings, and they lack the guidance of experts. Inputs to farming have increased, added to it there is corruption in tahsildar, sub-registrar office, and other government agencies who monitor them.

The Government on its part is losing funds though subsidies given to farmers. Power thefts are present in rural areas because of illegal or excess usage by farmers.