Articles by Ramesh Chand

The many changes that have taken place in the country's agriculture, most important of all the changes in the demandsupply balance in respect of the major crops, urgently call for a fresh look at the role and relevance of the system of minimum support prices.

In most cases, wheat exports have led to a jump in domestic prices, necessitating high-cost imports. Besides, wheat exports have invariably fetched prices lower than the prevailing international prices.

As is often the case, agricultural diversification is being suggested as the future strategy to address the problems confronting Punjab agriculture. The present paper, based on empirical evidence, examines the scope of agricultural diversification by analysing various dimensions of the suggested alternative. It discusses prospects of the diversification alternative and its implication on employment, income, natural resources and ecology. An attempt is also made to propose future strategy for agricultural and economic development of Punjab in the post-green revolution period.

India's Agriculture The Challenge and Strategy Ramesh Chand There is a demand from some developed countries that India, since it was no more suffering from the balance of payment problem' should come out with a plan to phase out quantitative restrictions (QRs) on imports, On the other hand, Indian officials in the Krishi Bhavan fear that liberalisation of agricultural imports would hit Indian producers and impair the growth prospects of the farm sector. Against this background, this paper discusses: (a) the implications of removal of QRs for Indian agricultural sector, (b) circumstances that would lead to imports after removal of QRs, and (c) strategy and policy the country should follow to minimise the adverse impact of QR removal on agricultural sector.

Development in the Himalayas Evidence from Himachal Pradesh Ramesh Chand Although economic factors strongly favour the promotion ofhorticulture in the Himalayas the strategy has been questioned, on the grounds that horticulture would result in ecological degradation in the region. This paper investigates the impact of the expansion of area under fruits and vegetables in Himachal Pradesh and attempts to provide an appropriate perspective for formulating a policy for horticulture in the region.