In Focus by The Hindu

The Hindu
In Focus by The Hindu

A podcast from The Hindu that delves deep into current developments with subject experts, and brings in context, history, perspective and analysis.

  1. -5 J

    Why are rice farmers facing profitably challenges?

    The Indian government fixes a Minimum Support Price or MSP for 22 crops - paddy, wheat, several pulses, oilseeds and millets are a part of this list. The objective of declaring MSP is to help farmers get a good price for their produce and to procure food grains for public distribution. However, recent data shows that the cost of production is rising.   A recent report by Infomerics Ratings notes that the value of MSP for paddy has increased over time, reflecting the rising overall cost of production. However, it also notes that the input costs have also increased drastically.  It also notes that there are significant disparities between States when it comes to production and procurement. This has a big impact on farmer incomes. There is also an increasing demand for a legally binding MSP.   In fact, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing in its report on 'Demands for Grants (2024-25)' of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on the 17th December 2024, noted that the implementation of MSP is a focal point in the dialogue surrounding agricultural reform and farmers welfare in India.   It goes on to note that, "Since the Committee believe that implementing a robust and legally binding MSP in the country could play a crucial role in reducing farmer suicides in India by providing financial stability, protecting against market volatility & alleviating debt burdens, they recommended implementation of the same."  We speak to Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings, about rice production in the country, how MSP is calculated, and about the health of the rural economy.  Guest: Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings  Host: Nivedita V  Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

    38 min
  2. -6 J

    What is the scale of environmental risks and biodiversity losses linked to the Great Nicobar mega-project?

    The Great Nicober Island is the southernmost island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. It is home to species of flora and fauna not found anywhere else on the earth. It is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also the habitat of indigenous communities, including the Nicobarese and the Shompen, a ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group’ (PVTG). The island is located on a seismically high-volatile zone, and experiences on an average one earth quake a week, of varying magnitude. The government of India has planned a ₹72,000 crore mega-infrastructure project on this island. The project plan, piloted by the Niti Aayog, includes a ₹40,000 crore International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a gas-and-solar-based power plant, and a township stretching over 16,610 hectares. This proposed project will decimate 131 sq km of pristine tropical evergreen forest, destroy the primary nesting place of the giant leatherback turtle, and settle 350,000 people on an island whose current population is 8,500. Yet it has got environmental and forest clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). How serious are the risks of this project? How rigorous are the Environment Impact Assessments that were done? Do the strategic and developmental gains from this project outweigh the environmental costs and risks of this project?   Guest: Dr. Pankaj Sekhsaria, a researcher and academic writer who has written extensively on the Andaman and Nicobar islands for over three decades and has curated the anthology, ‘The Great Nicobar Betrayal’. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu. Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

    49 min

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A podcast from The Hindu that delves deep into current developments with subject experts, and brings in context, history, perspective and analysis.

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