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Journalism of Courage

Ashok Gulati

The writer is chair professor for agriculture at ICRIER. Views are personal

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More From Ashok Gulati

A new compact between AI and agriculture: An Andhra Pradesh opportunitySubscriber Only

August 03,2026 06:21:18 AM

Andhra Pradesh is uniquely placed to show the rest of the country how the cloud can shower prosperity on agri-households

Mon, Aug 03, 2026

India once dominated textile trade. It needs institutions to make a mark again

India once dominated the textile trade. It needs institutions to make a mark againSubscriber Only

July 20,2026 06:20:07 AM

India today possesses a fully integrated textile value chain, from cotton to spinning, weaving, processing, garment manufacturing and exports. The key catch is the employment intensity of the sector

Mon, Jul 20, 2026

Rice-to-ethanol policy is deepening economic and environmental stressSubscriber Only

July 06,2026 06:24:44 AM

The ethanol blending programme is not a bad idea, in itself — it involves at least 20 per cent blending. However, mandating that ethanol producers source a fixed share of feedstock from FCI rice is counterproductive

Tue, Jul 07, 2026

Road to energy security passes through our farmsSubscriber Only

June 22,2026 06:15:09 AM

Agriphotovoltaics integrate solar power generation and crop cultivation on the same piece of land. This allows farmers to harvest both sunlight and crops

Mon, Jun 22, 2026

Policy is undoing what science built. That’s a challenge for Cotton Productivity Mission

In cotton fields, policy is undoing what science built. That’s the challenge for the Cotton Productivity MissionSubscriber Only

June 08,2026 06:27:25 AM

The Mission’s intent is welcome, but does it have the technology that global giants provide? The simple answer is ‘no’.

Mon, Jun 08, 2026

India faces a 1991 moment: It needs to reform, relook at subsidiesSubscriber Only

May 25,2026 06:20:18 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for austerity measures, and some chief ministers have reportedly travelled on motorcycles, metros, and electric cars. Such tokenism does not last long

Mon, May 25, 2026

In east, lotus has bloomed, now for governance beyond freebies

In the east, the lotus has bloomed. Now for governance without freebiesSubscriber Only

May 11,2026 06:20:52 AM

The challenge before the new West Bengal government is straightforward: Can it move the state from its current 16th rank in per capita income to the levels of Haryana (third) and Gujarat (fifth)?

Mon, May 11, 2026

For true nari shakti, take jobs where women workers areSubscriber Only

April 27,2026 06:15:27 AM

The PM MITRA scheme may be the right instrument, but it has to open such parks in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha that supply labour to southern clusters. Will the government do this?

Sun, Apr 26, 2026

Amid war’s lengthening shadows, the need to reform fertiliser policy

Ashok Gulati writes: To ensure food security amid war clouds, government must reform fertiliser policySubscriber Only

April 13,2026 06:13:16 AM

The government needs to reform its fertiliser policies, either through the DBT route or by rationing quantities. Only then can it reduce its misuse and diversion, and ensure food security

Mon, Apr 13, 2026

West bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee at a rally in Kolkata

The West Bengal puzzle: Social gains have not translated into higher incomesSubscriber Only

March 30,2026 06:05:38 AM

The state is not short of resources. It lacks the political will to invest, modernise, and compete

Mon, Mar 30, 2026

Disruption carries a reminder: Policy reforms in fertiliser sector are overdue

Disruption caused by West Asia war carries a reminder: Policy reforms in fertiliser sector are overdueSubscriber Only

March 16,2026 06:13:15 AM

If this crisis can be converted into an opportunity to reform the sector, it will bring rich rewards

Mon, Mar 16, 2026

AI anxiety can turn into an advantage for Atmanirbhar IndiaSubscriber Only

March 02,2026 06:34:28 AM

Every new technology demolishes the old one and creates massive disruption, but gives higher efficiency and growth

Mon, Mar 02, 2026

Trade pact opens doors with caution, and with quota systems, in agriculture

Ashok Gulati writes: On agriculture, India-US deal opens doors with caution, and with quota systemsSubscriber Only

February 16,2026 07:22:17 AM

India has largely opened crops that are either not grown in the country or grown on very small areas, like tree nuts and berries. Although more will be known only when the fine print is out, my understanding is that lowered duties will be accompanied by import quotas, safeguarding our farmers adequately.

Mon, Feb 16, 2026

Farmers sowing paddy in rural area near Dediapada on Saturday. Express photo by Bhupendra Rana 26.07.2025 *** Local Caption *** Farmers sowing paddy in rural area near Dediapada on Saturday. Express photo by Bhupendra Rana 26.07.2025

Finance Minister has bypassed large parts of farm sectorSubscriber Only

February 02,2026 07:01:21 AM

The vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be realised without a stronger and more productive rural economy. Developmental expenditures are the only way to improve rural livelihoods

Mon, Feb 02, 2026

To complete reform drive, rationalise food and fertiliser subsidies

For government’s reform drive to succeed, rationalise agri subsidiesSubscriber Only

January 19,2026 08:15:18 AM

If both food and fertiliser subsidies can be merged with the augmented PM Kisan scheme, the Modi government is really in “Reform Express” mode

Mon, Jan 19, 2026

We hope that the Modi government can undertake it and realise its unfulfilled dream of not just doubling farmers’ incomes but augmenting it manifold.

A lesson from Beed in raising farmers’ incomesSubscriber Only

January 05,2026 06:05:56 AM

In Beed, Mayank Gandhi floated the idea of Krishikul under the Global Vikas Trust to augment farmers’ incomes. They convinced farmers to shift from traditional crops to fruit crops. The results have been astounding.

Mon, Jan 05, 2026

Reforming the fertiliser subsidy regime demands political courage, but the rewards could be substantial. (Illustration: C R Sasikumar)

Reforming the fertiliser subsidy demands political courage, offers high rewardsSubscriber Only

December 22,2025 06:59:24 AM

The fertiliser subsidy is the second-largest item in the Union budget, next only to the food subsidy — its allocation is more than the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare allocation of Rs 1.37 lakh crore in FY26.

Mon, Dec 22, 2025

Economy beyond headline numbers – better jobs, green growth neededSubscriber Only

December 08,2025 07:26:38 AM

North India is choking, and the situation is nothing short of a gas chamber with AQI going above 400. This may lead to a brisk sale of air purifiers, pushing up the GDP growth numbers. But is this the type of GDP we want, when people can’t even breathe fresh and safe air? .

Mon, Dec 08, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with newly sworn-in Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the swearing-in ceremony, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. (@Jduonline via PTI Photo/File)

Bihar has got tall promises, it needs a credible development strategySubscriber Only

November 24,2025 07:17:29 AM

In 2024, Bihar hosted the Business Connect Summit and attracted Rs 1.81 lakh crore in investment proposals, with players like the Adani Group and Sun Petrochemicals stepping up. That is what a credible development strategy looks like — using incentives to attract private investment rather than expanding an already strained public payroll.

Mon, Nov 24, 2025

Bihar needs new development strategies, not revdisSubscriber Only

November 10,2025 06:53:53 AM

What could be the potential strategy levers to change Bihar’s economic fortunes? There are three clear pathways through which the state can still turn its potential into real prosperity

Mon, Nov 10, 2025

As nutrition is the central concern of regenerative agriculture, India must prioritise nutritional security by enhancing domestic production of pulses and oilseeds—crops that require fewer inputs and naturally fix nitrogen in the soil. To address this, the government has launched the Rs 11,440 crore ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ (2025–26 to 2030–31) — it aims to scale up domestic pulse production to 350 lakh tonnes. (C R Sasikumar)

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Make the farm atmanirbharSubscriber Only

October 27,2025 06:12:39 AM

Self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds will not only improve India's nutritional security but also heal soils, conserve groundwater and save air from pollution

Mon, Oct 27, 2025

Amid global instability, India-UK ties key pillar of stability, says PM

As US shuts doors, India-UK partnership can be a launch pad for growthSubscriber Only

October 13,2025 06:30:29 AM

With Starmer’s visit and CETA in place, the UK market offers significant opportunities for India. But reduced tariffs alone will not translate into exports unless matched with structural reforms that promote India’s competitiveness

Mon, Oct 13, 2025

For food and fuel, India needs strategic partnershipsSubscriber Only

September 29,2025 07:00:22 AM

It’s critical to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of chemical fertilisers. Joining hands with Morocco, which accounts for almost 70 per cent of the world’s phosphate reserves, could be a game-changer for both countries.

Mon, Sep 29, 2025