Debt-burdened farmers cling to paddy even as it drains soil, water, and future prospects. ‘Crop diversification is a nice buzz word but nothing’s done at the policy level.’
Economic activity has rebounded in LMICs post pandemic, but the debt accumulated in that period has continued to grow, driven by both short & long-term debt.
World Bank's International Debt Report 2024 finds Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka & Maldives together owe $324.6 bn to external lenders.
Most of these countries are located in sub-Saharan Africa & have an annual per capita income of less than $1,145. Two-thirds of these are stuck in conflict or institutional fragility.
Freebies promised during polls, subsidies, swelling wage & pension bills are adding to the debt pile of states like Himachal Pradesh & Punjab. Revenue expenditure rationalisation can help.
The full budget retains focus on fiscal consolidation. In her budget speech, finance minister mentioned the intent will be to fix fiscal deficit with debt-GDP ratio on a declining path.
RBI said India’s rising retail participation in the F&O market may pose several challenges, and the stock of household debt is 'comparatively high' in relation to GDP per capita.
The total value of imports is currently higher than that of exports in the Maldives. The Covid-19 pandemic was an external shock that jolted the country’s tourism industry.
Maldives’ external debt servicing to touch $1.07 bn in 2026. Economic realities have forced a change in tactics towards India by the ‘pro-China’ Muizzu government.
The 2024 Article IV consultation discussions have now ended with the signing of a staff-level agreement between the IMF senior mission chief and the deputy mission chief.
In India, women remain concentrated in a narrow range of sectors such as beauty and hairdressing, household maintenance, residential care, and parts of the education sector.
As Visakhapatnam readies a mega airport, the Andhra Pradesh government has revived its shelved Dagadarthi project, aiming to boost cargo and connectivity on the south coast.
ThePrint was first to report, on 1 February 2023, India & US were in talks for co-production of 8-wheel-drive infantry fighting vehicle developed by General Dynamics Land Systems.
UK, EFTA already in the bag and EU on the way, many members of RCEP except China signed up, and even restrictions on China being lifted, India has changed its mind on trade.
A good article by the Print. The Central Government must take concrete steps to help guide farming in Punjab towards less ecologically harmful practices. Correct application of financial incentives, such as the ones highlighted in this article, can play a role in this. Any money spent supporting these hardworking families will pay back many fold in terms of a better and more diversified food supply for the country.
I don’t think we can blame central government for farmers’ low income at this time because farmers reforms in bring were vehemently opposed by the farmer unions. Given the widening gap between price consumers pay and price farmers get for crops, marketing reforms are need of hour that was pushed back
The solution to Punjab (and Other States) is to “embrace” AgriVoltaics (AV) that enables one to Graze and Grow food below as one generates Pollution Free Solar Electricity above.
Using 5% of India’s 2.2 Million km2 of Farmland, AV can provide ALL the Energy Needed for a ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT… Bharat 2050 …. with a 15TW, 18,000TWh/yr AV System.
This System, financed by State/Central Govt’s Implementing the 1992 UN Rio Agreement, PRINCIPLE #16 (already accepted by the GOI), can provide USD2+Trillion/yr, PAID BY THE POLLUTERS IN INDIA ONLY. It can FINANCE the above, as it Transitions the Dirty-n-Polluted India today, to a ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT by 2050… or earlier. This also halts the 2.5 Million Premature Deaths annually and 35Million DALY of Suffering caused by Pollution in India… TODAY…
The above PV-AV System, sharing the Farmers Farmland, can generate, from the 18 Trillion KWh/yr of Electricity generated, a Net Income of INR 72 Trillion/yr (INR 72 Lakh Crores/yr), for the Farmers (INR4 / KWhe) in India.
The Punjab farmers will get their own share…. and break-out of this “Chakravuu of Agricultural Debt” ….. forever. ???
NOW….. DO IT…. IMPLEMENT PRINCIPLE #16 & SECURE THE FUTURE OF A ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT & ZERO DEBT FOR THE FARMERS TOO…!!!
Central govt needs to be firm now. MSP of rice must be reduced to discourage rice and promote pulses. Rice procurement from Punjab must be reduced. And procurement from Bihar and Bengal must be increased instead. Give the good quality rice seeds to water-abundant Bihar and Bengal.
A good article by the Print. The Central Government must take concrete steps to help guide farming in Punjab towards less ecologically harmful practices. Correct application of financial incentives, such as the ones highlighted in this article, can play a role in this. Any money spent supporting these hardworking families will pay back many fold in terms of a better and more diversified food supply for the country.
I don’t think we can blame central government for farmers’ low income at this time because farmers reforms in bring were vehemently opposed by the farmer unions. Given the widening gap between price consumers pay and price farmers get for crops, marketing reforms are need of hour that was pushed back
The solution to Punjab (and Other States) is to “embrace” AgriVoltaics (AV) that enables one to Graze and Grow food below as one generates Pollution Free Solar Electricity above.
Using 5% of India’s 2.2 Million km2 of Farmland, AV can provide ALL the Energy Needed for a ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT… Bharat 2050 …. with a 15TW, 18,000TWh/yr AV System.
This System, financed by State/Central Govt’s Implementing the 1992 UN Rio Agreement, PRINCIPLE #16 (already accepted by the GOI), can provide USD2+Trillion/yr, PAID BY THE POLLUTERS IN INDIA ONLY. It can FINANCE the above, as it Transitions the Dirty-n-Polluted India today, to a ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT by 2050… or earlier. This also halts the 2.5 Million Premature Deaths annually and 35Million DALY of Suffering caused by Pollution in India… TODAY…
The above PV-AV System, sharing the Farmers Farmland, can generate, from the 18 Trillion KWh/yr of Electricity generated, a Net Income of INR 72 Trillion/yr (INR 72 Lakh Crores/yr), for the Farmers (INR4 / KWhe) in India.
The Punjab farmers will get their own share…. and break-out of this “Chakravuu of Agricultural Debt” ….. forever. ???
NOW….. DO IT…. IMPLEMENT PRINCIPLE #16 & SECURE THE FUTURE OF A ZERO POLLUTION BHARAT & ZERO DEBT FOR THE FARMERS TOO…!!!
Central govt needs to be firm now. MSP of rice must be reduced to discourage rice and promote pulses. Rice procurement from Punjab must be reduced. And procurement from Bihar and Bengal must be increased instead. Give the good quality rice seeds to water-abundant Bihar and Bengal.