Engineering a makeover of Indian agriculture

Reforms that will increase farmers' incomes and generate rural employment are sorely needed

As the new government settles in, the sense one gets is that they want to hit the ground running. During the build-up to the election, the debate on agriculture had occupied centre stage and the media had extensively covered farmer distress, particularly on account of falling prices. Therefore the government needs to take on the challenges right away. The finance minister’s assertion, inviting suggestions from public is welcome, and reflects an open mind towards new ideas.

While some may argue that the Union Budget is about revenues and expenditure, in recent years it has also become a platform for making major