Articles by N Chandrasekhara Rao

This article rebuts the argument that shortcomings in Bt cotton studies and divergence between yield gains and extent of adoption of Bt hybrids make it impossible to conclusively say anything about the impact of genetically modifi ed seeds. Further, it points out that there have been numerous studies that have controlled for selection and cultivation bias, and concluded that Bt cotton has had statistically significant positive yield effects.

Agricultural price policy has come under serious attack recently for recommending support prices higher than what the costs of production warrant, supposedly leading to a distortion of the market, and, therefore, to food deprivation. With an in-depth analysis of costs and returns in rice and wheat, which are the most state-protected crops and underlie the livelihoods of millions of farmers, this paper examines the effectiveness of agricultural price policy in enabling farmers to obtain sufficient profits to promote investment, technology and productivity and thereby to food security. The rising cost of production due to the overemphasis on getting input prices right is a major factor that has led to higher support prices. Another factor is the percolation of volatility in global prices through trade liberalisation. Because of this, wheat support prices had to be hiked steeply in recent years so that sufficient quantities are procured. This has distorted parity between the prices of rice and wheat.

This paper analyses various problems faced by the food processing sector in Andhra Pradesh, especially in instances of contract farming, with a focus on oil palm and gherkin. While contract farming has largely solved the problem of supply of quality raw material, cultivators of both crops have their own needs, which in some instances processors are unable or unwilling to meet. Oil palm growers, for instance, are keen on an assured minimum price while gherkin growers are totally dependent on export demand. Processors have also neglected the smaller farmers. Hence, some form of government intervention to ensure contracts are enforced and compiled with, is the need of the hour.