Govt will be judged on how it deals with the crisis; recognizing the problem is the first step, but a lot depends on how it executes the rescue
The bout of unseasonal rainfall in north India over the last few weeks has triggered fears that standing Rabi crop may have suffered extensive damage. It may or may not be true. Regardless, it has once again put the spotlight on the agriculture sector, exactly two weeks after finance minister Arun Jaitley listed it as the first of five key challenges facing the Indian economy while presenting the Union budget.
Those watching the agriculture sector closely have been warning about the emerging crisis, but the finance minister’s remarks are hopefully the first step in refocusing public policy with respect to agriculture. This is because the emerging crisis is like one never before. Hence, it would be a mistake to handle it like business-as-usual. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be judged on how it deals with the problem; recognizing the problem is the first step, but a lot depends on how it executes the rescue.
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