Cash transfers to farmers are a temporary fix. India must pursue structural reforms in agriculture

A case study of Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu Scheme illustrates why.

Padmini Ramesh, IndiaSpend.com

· Jun 24, 2020 · 07:30 pm

As India rolls out Budget 2020, where does it stand on the promise to double farmers’ income?

The Bharatiya Janata Party is fast approaching its 2022 deadline to revamp the agricultural economy.

Shreehari Paliath, IndiaSpend.com

· Feb 01, 2020 · 10:30 am

‘Surgical strike on onions’: Farmers say BJP will be made to pay for the crisis in Maharashtra poll

With the Centre imposing an export ban to bring down skyrocketing onion prices, traders and farmers in Nashik are seeing red.

Aarefa Johari

· Oct 05, 2019 · 09:00 am

Can Telangana and Odisha afford the money they want to give their farmers?

The cost for Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu scheme works out to Rs 3,000 crore a month. Its monthly revenue is 10,000 crore of which 80% goes in paying salaries.

Mridula Chari

· Mar 28, 2019 · 07:30 am

Most vulnerable farmers are left out as states across India start money transfers to farmland owners

Landless farmers are left out of Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu, but nominally included in Odisha’s Kalia.

Mridula Chari

· Mar 27, 2019 · 07:30 am

Income transfers are hottest trend in agricultural policy. But how do states identify beneficiaries?

In Telangana, large landholders are benefiting disproportionately from the scheme. In Odisha, families of ministers were on initial beneficiary lists.

Mridula Chari

· Mar 26, 2019 · 09:00 am

Parliament must debate agriculture crisis, not Ram temple, say farmers marching in Delhi

Most farmers said the BJP was using temple politics to distract from pressing matters. Others said they would welcome a Ram temple.

Vijayta Lalwani

· Dec 01, 2018 · 09:00 am

‘If they lose polls in all five states, they’ll fulfil our demands’: Farmers march in hope in Delhi

The thousands of farmers from across India who converged in Ramlila Maidan on Thursday will march to Parliament on Friday to press for their demands.

Vijayta Lalwani

· Nov 30, 2018 · 06:30 am

Kisan Mukti March: Students, doctors, other volunteers prepare to welcome farmers rally in Delhi

Thousands of farmers from across the country will arrive in the national capital on November 29 to put pressure on the government to meet their demands.

Vijayta Lalwani

· Nov 28, 2018 · 06:38 pm

Uttar Pradesh: Tension in Baghpat after protesting sugarcane farmer dies

The deceased, identified as Udayveer Singh, was demonstrating against non-payment of dues by sugar mills and an increase in rural power tariff.

Scroll Staff

· May 27, 2018 · 07:50 pm

Video: Why are Indian farmers angry and what are their demands?

Since early 2017, farmers across the country have been protesting and as a sign of intense rural distress, disparate groups have two similar demands.

Mridula Chari

 & 

Aabid Shafi

· Mar 18, 2018 · 08:15 am

Insurance firms have still not settled farmers’ claims from 2016 kharif season: Report

They are now also trying to deal with their flooded plots in Gujarat and West Bengal.

Scroll Staff

· Aug 02, 2017 · 12:36 pm