Targeting UPSC CSE

Whether the government should be using the taxpayers’ money to provide subsidies to the farming community in this country. 1. why have successive governments used the exchequer to provide farm subsidies. 2. How large is India’s spending on farm subsidies as compared to those of other countries having substantial interests in agriculture? In 1950 -51                    Seven decades later agriculture’s share in GDP                     45% below 16% the share of dependent workforce nearly 70% almost 50% Farmers consistly faced adverse terms of trade vis-a-vis non farmers. There is a lack of meaningful investment in agriculture which would not only ensures efficient use of resources but could be a crucial step to boost farm incomes. Total investment undertaken in country fell from 18% in 1950s to around 11% by 1980s. More recent data from 2014-15 to 2018 -2019 shows the avera...