Second, the targets are quite low where improvements in the food grain sector are concerned, and perhaps what we need to do is to scale them up. The high yields in Punjab can be replicated in many other parts of India — Bengal, AP, UP, Bihar are only some of the states well-endowed with the right soil and water to produce much higher yields. What is more, the poorest farmer tends to be the one growing food grain. In other words, if the objective is growth plus equity, then the emphasis within the agri sector should be on food grain. And here again the possibilities are enormous.

Third, it is well known now that sustained agri growth will come about not through a few improvements but a whole package: credit availability, technology improvements, changes in practices, marketing improvements, changes in the various laws limiting trade and greater rural infrastructure investment. Most important, there is little argument on this; and politicians across the spectrum acknowledge the importance of ensuring greater farmer access to credit, inputs, technology and markets. In other words, the country is finally ready for a second green revolution.

Conditions now are far better than they were on the eve of the first green revolution. Over-dependence on government for delivery of services is no longer required. A large private sector exists that can take on the various tasks required; information technology has spread; the average farmer is now literate and, if not, has at least someone in his household who is; the transport infrastructure has penetrated far into the hinterland; and economic growth is increasing market sizes like never before.

... contd.