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Q.3) Rice and sugar form the major part of India’s agri-export basket. However, there are concerns over their export sustainability. What are the reasons for concerns and suggest the measure to deal with these concerns? (10 marks)

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Swatantra

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“Mentor’s Comments”

  • https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-green-are-indias-agri-exports-7368002/
  • In the intro, mention that India’s agri-export touched $41.8 billion in FY 2020-21 registering a growth of 18%.
  • In the body, mention two major concerns with the export of sugar and rice both crops are water-intensive which is one of the major problems as India faces the scarcity of water and both crops are heavily subsidised which reduces their sustainability over a long time. In the suggestions mention adoption of farming practices such as alternate wetting drying (AWD), direct-seeded rice (DSR) and micro-irrigation, crop-diversification, procurement of rice for PDS only, incentivising farmers to save water etc.
  • Conclude by mentioning the implementation of these steps to ensure sustainability.

Comments

31 responses to “Q.3) Rice and sugar form the major part of India’s agri-export basket. However, there are concerns over their export sustainability. What are the reasons for concerns and suggest the measure to deal with these concerns? (10 marks)”

  1. deepika annamalai Avatar
    deepika annamalai

    Payment ID – HIWaoP4yYMjmlq

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Deepika

      Structure of the answer is good, content is fine too.

      Introduction is fine, in concerns mention one issue at one place- points regarding water guzzling should be mentioned together, you can also mention about the amount of water we are indirectly exporting.

      Sugarcane and rice, not water are heavily subsidised through cheap/free power for irrigation.Export subsidy given by the government to clear excessive domestic stocks of sugar has led many other sugar-exporting countries like Australia, Brazil and Thailand to register a case against India at the WTO, rice cultivation contributes to more than 18 per cent of the GHG emission generated from agriculture.- these points can be mentioned too. Rest of the points are fine.

      Way forward and conclusion is good, conclusion is also way forward in your answer, you can club them and write a general conclusion.Need to revise policy can also be mentioned as agri-trade slid to 13.5% of agri- GDP by FY2020-21 indicating India is becoming less globally competitive in exports and more protectionist in imports.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  2. subhashree mallick Avatar
    subhashree mallick

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    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Subhashree

      Good attempt. Introduction is fine, you can also mention about the share of rice and sugar in India’s export basket, since the question focuses on them.

      Points in the content are also good, you can divide them into- policy concerns and environmental concerns. Some points like export subsidy to clear domestic stocks may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY can also be mentioned.

      Way forward and conclusion is good, no need of much changes.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing.

      6.5/10

  3. Utkarsha Yadav Avatar
    Utkarsha Yadav

    Please review
    Payment Id pay_HHWzC2O9xhkaqA

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Utkarsha

      Very well written. Introduction is fine, you can also mention about the share of rice and sugar in India’s export basket, since the question focuses on them.

      Points in the content are good, you can add some policy issues-like export subsidy to clear domestic stocks may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY , India is becoming less globally competitive in exports and more protectionist in imports, presumably in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

      Suggestions are good, Kuttanad example is also very good.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  4. Utkarsh Singh Avatar
    Utkarsh Singh

    Please check

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Utkarsh

      Please mention the reference ID.

      Introduction and conclusion is well articulated, presentation is also good, some concerns as well as solutions are missing. In solutions, you can diversify by mentioning the need to invest in R&D, technology etc. Adoption of farming practices such as alternate wetting drying (AWD), direct-seeded rice (DSR) can also be mentioned.

      In concerns, some policy issues-like export subsidy to clear domestic stocks may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY , India is becoming less globally competitive in exports and more protectionist in imports, presumably in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat(hence agri-trade i.e. exports+imports has gone down) can be mentioned. MSP and heavy subsidization is not the reason for fall in total exports, in fact they are skewing exports in favour of rice and sugar.

      You can give some examples of good practices in agriculture.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  5. ankita thakur Avatar
    ankita thakur

    Payment id-HJHAZEWKSzM3CX

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Ankita

      Introduction is very good.

      Concerns have been articulated well too.Some policy issues-like export subsidy to clear domestic stocks may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY which is then exported can be mentioned.

      In measures first two points are good, by just mentioning extend MSP, it is not clear how that will help, you can explain it a bit. PMKSY can be mentioned with irrigation only. Some other points you can mention:
      Diversification of our agri-systems- at least in the case of rice, procurement will have to be limited to the needs of PDS, and within PDS, it is high time to introduce the option of direct cash transfers
      Doubling investments in agri R&D to improve productivity on a sustainable basis and improve farming practices for minimising carbon emissions
      Revisit the entire gamut of rice and sugar systems from their MSP/FRP to their production

      Conclusion is good.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  6. AABHA RANI Avatar
    AABHA RANI

    Razor payment id:- HHOoNABVzCCLcD

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Aabha

      Introduction is fine, keep it short, just mention share of of rice and sugar in India’s export basket and move on, no need to compare data from 2013-14, it will be hard to remember those things in exam.

      Focus more on concerns part- explain about water scarcity in India and how we are exporting so much water indirectly via rice-sugar export. Also mention about high GHG emissions, since question is about sustainability, you should address these points well. Also you can mention some policy concerns like export subsidy to clear domestic stocks may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY leading to export rise.

      Instead of methods adopted already, you can mention way forward and again include some more points- in the case of rice, procurement will have to be limited to the needs of PDS to ensure diversification, doubling investments in agri R&D to improve productivity on a sustainable basis and improve farming practices for minimising carbon emissions, revisit the entire gamut of rice and sugar systems from their MSP/FRP to their production. Rest of the points are good.

      Conclusion is good.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  7. Santosh kharat Avatar
    Santosh kharat

    Payment I’d 115009045817

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Santosh

      In introduction mention about the share of rice and sugar in India’s export basket, since the question focuses on them.

      Points mentioned are good in concern, but explain about water scarcity in India and how we are exporting so much water indirectly via rice-sugar export.Since question is about sustainability, you should address these points well.
      Also you can mention some policy concerns like possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY leading to export rise, high export subsidy to clear domestic stocks etc

      Way forward and conclusion is good, you can give examples of some best practices in rice-sugar farming.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  8. Dr. House Avatar
    Dr. House

    REF ID: #0000425733
    Please review @Swatantra Sir

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Introduction is fine, you can also mention about the share of rice and sugar in India’s export basket, since the question focuses on them.

      Content is fine, you have mentioned many points. Some pointa can still be added, for example leakage from PDS and PMGKY. In concerns you can mention the need to revise the whole chain fro fixing MSP/FRP to production.

      Conclusion is fine, can give some examples to be followed.

      Overall good answer. Keep writing. 🙂

  9. Kartikey Singh Avatar
    Kartikey Singh

    pay_HHogiMPYpQ87sC

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Kartikey

      Introduction is fine. In concerns, explain about water scarcity in India and how we are exporting so much water indirectly via rice-sugar export.
      Also mention about high GHG emissions, since question is about sustainability, you should address these points well.

      Rest of the points are fine, concerns over leakage in PDS and PMGKY leading to export-swelling and litigation in WTO over high export subsidies can also be mentioned.

      Steps to be taken can also be elaborated a bit, you have wrtten good points from environmental angle, can mention about adoption of farming practices such as alternate wetting drying (AWD), direct-seeded rice (DSR).

      Need for diversification of our agri-systems- rice procurement to be limited to the needs of PDS, and within PDS, it is time to introduce direct cash transfers can be mentioned. Examples are good.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing.

  10. Fun Learning with Rajlaxmi. Avatar
    Fun Learning with Rajlaxmi.

    Review
    Ref no 0000420120

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Rajlaxmi

      Good attempt. Introduction is good. In concerns about how indirectly we are exporting so much water inspite of water scarcity, can give some data. Also concerns over leakage in PDS and PMGKY leading to export-swelling can be mentioned.

      Measures and way forward is fine too, you have written good points. Need for diversification of our agri-systems- rice procurement to be limited to the needs of PDS, and within PDS, it is time to introduce direct cash transfers can be mentioned.

      Conclusion is fine. Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  11. Jaya Ratnasami Avatar
    Jaya Ratnasami

    Payment:0000382105

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Jaya

      Very good attempt. Introduction is good. In concerns you can add some data related to water scarcity, it will add weight to the argument. Points are good.

      Suggestions are good too. In need for diversification of our agri-systems- rice procurement to be limited to the needs of PDS, and within PDS, it is time to introduce direct cash transfers can be mentioned. Also you can talk about need to incentivise good irrigation practices. Some examples can be given.

      Conclusion is fine. Overall well written. Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  12. Vishnu Agrawal Avatar
    Vishnu Agrawal

    Order id: 0000422561

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Vishnu

      Well written. Many points are mentioned. You should try to finish in the space given.

      In introduction you can mention share of rice and sugar in India’s export basket and move on. See, data adds value, conveys things very precisely, you can skip explaining too much after giving data for eg. If you write 18% of GHG emission in agriculture is due to rice, that should be enough.

      Points you have mentioned are good. No need of much changed. You can add some examples of good practices in the later part of the answer.

      Conclusion is fine. Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

      7.5/10

  13. Arpit Singh Avatar
    Arpit Singh

    Payment I’d HHU8LODcXby9Db

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Arpit

      Introduction is fine. You have addressed the environmental concerns well, mention some concerns with policy measures too.

      Some of these like – heavy subsidies on power and fertilizers, export subsidy to clear domestic stocks, also may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY can also be mentioned.

      Suggestions are fine but common, include suggestions like adoption of farming practices such as alternate wetting drying (AWD), direct-seeded rice (DSR) and micro-irrigation, crop-diversification, spending on R&D instead of procuring excess grain , procurement of rice for PDS only, incentivising farmers to save water etc

      Conclusion is fine. Keep writing. 🙂

  14. shivanshu pandey Avatar
    shivanshu pandey

    pay_HH4AoVE2qPd386 please review @swatantra

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Shivanshu

      Introduction is good. Question is asking about overall export sustainability and not just environmental sustainability, mention some policy concerns too.

      Some of these like – heavy subsidies on power and fertilizers, export subsidy to clear domestic stocks, also may give rise to conflict in WTO, possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY can also be mentioned.

      Suggestions are good, you can mention the need for crop-diversification, spending on R&D instead of procuring excess grain , procurement of rice for PDS only, incentivising farmers to save water etc

      Conclusion is fine, you can talk about learning from best practices and implementing them.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  15. Deepali Rajan Avatar
    Deepali Rajan

    kindly review @swatantra sir
    Ref id #420326

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Deepali

      Your knowledge of the topic is good , content is fine too but structure can be better.

      Introduction is good. After that, mention concerns at one place and solutions at one place. It is tough if you write one solution to one problem, as solutions are inter-related, for example diversification of crops can lead to consumption of less water, lower GHG emissions, less money spent on procuring grains – solution of all 3 problems.

      In issues you can mention about high
      export subsidy to clear domestic stocks also, may give rise to conflict in WTO and possible leakage in PDS and PMGKY might also increase exports.

      Solutions mentioned are fine, MSP is already there, so you can avoid writing that, suggestions like adoption of farming practices such as alternate wetting drying (AWD), direct-seeded rice (DSR) , crop-diversification, spending on R&D instead of procuring excess grain, incentivising farmers to save water etc can be mentioned.

      Write a conclusion focussing on the need for learning from best practices and implementing them.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing🙂

  16. Sana Nawazish Avatar
    Sana Nawazish

    ID-HJjQFLvck5DhqQ
    Please review
    @swatantra sir

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