The Hindu Business Line : Phase out farm subsidies

The gradual reduction of farm subsidy, without resulting in harm to the farmers, is a model worth emulating. New Zealand has put in tremendous effort in this matter to reform its political and social processes.

Furthermore, the country also looks for opportunity to involve the private sector in public decision-making processes (such as new public management programmes), to ensure transparency and accountability.

In India, farm subsidy reduction assumes great significance, especially with the WTO regime expected to be in place by 2005. It is time to look at long-term farm sustainability (the country's and the farmers') rather than ephemeral political benefits.

G. Narasimha Raghavan

Chennai

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

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Phase out farm subsidies