India heading towards becoming major agricultural importer after two failed monsoons

Green Revolution? Think again. India is heading towards becoming a major agricultural importer after two failed monsoons. The country has started shopping around the globe for stuff it exported until last year. Jayashree Bhosale analyses:

What’s happening?

> Private traders say they will import wheat again this year

> India’s pulses imports are rising as demand is up while output is sluggish

> India has started importing large amounts of corn after exporting it for years

>In November, it imported soymeal, used as poultry feed. India was a big exporter

> Now, another large shipment of soymeal has arrived from Ukraine

Why is it happening?

> Monsoon failed for two consecutive years

> The intervening winter crop was severely damaged by hailstorms and unseasonal showers

> Last fiscal, post-monsoon season was exceptionally dry and warm No new technological breakthrough after the 1960s’ Green Revolution

> The price of many indian grains is higher than international rates

What can be done?

> Ensure big improvement in farm productivity

> Need to introduce modern irrigation practices

> Another Green Revolution badly needed

> Hope for a good monsoon. Rains have never failed thrice in a row