Agricultural Policy and Short-Termism in India
Nikos Kazantzakis's anecdote in his novel, Zorba the Greek, illustrates the difference in policy conceptualization between primary producers and the Indian establishment. India's agricultural policies reflect a "live for the moment" mindset, lacking long-term vision. This is mirrored by a defunct agricultural research system and policies encouraging short-term farming practices.
Strategic Vision and Systems Thinking
- India requires a strategic vision to anticipate world and national economic evolution, technological disruption, and challenges like climate change and aging.
- Current policies inadequately address agricultural production shortfalls, erroneously assuming nutritional security and minimal climate impact.
- Scenario planning is about readiness for the unexpected, not just forecasting accuracy.
Failures in Policy and R&D
- The delay in National Cooperative Policy 2025 highlights policy formulation issues.
- India invests less than 1% of its GDP in R&D, compared to Israel's over 6%, affecting development status.
- Political indecisiveness stalls important agricultural reforms, complicating state-level regulations and impeding private R&D investment.
Impact on Trade and Competitiveness
- Regulatory uncertainties and stalled reform affect trade negotiations and competitiveness, exemplified by soybean yield disparities.
- India's high-value produce fails safety tests in trade deals like the recent India-Britain agreement.
Need for Systems Approach
- Indian policies often operate in silos, hindering economic advancement by neglecting interconnectedness.
- The US tariffs could serve as a wake-up call to shift from "popularism" to "deliverism" for improved governance and reforms.
