CEA Nageswaran bats for re-orientation of farm policies despite subsidies

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has called for a pan-India dialogue on the agriculture sector, highlighting the need for policy re-orientation despite existing subsidies and support measures.

In the preface to the Economic Survey 2023-24, Nageswaran noted that while the government provides substantial support to farmers through subsidies on water, electricity, and fertilizers, along with income tax exemptions and minimum support prices, there is room for improvement in policy implementation.

"A case can be made that they (farmers) can be served better with some re-orientation of existing and new policies," the CEA stated.

The survey pointed out that current policies, implemented by both national and sub-national governments, often work at cross-purposes, leading to unintended consequences. These include soil fertility degradation, groundwater depletion, environmental pollution, and nutritional imbalances in crop production and dietary habits.

Nageswaran emphasised the .