Market and Technological Reforms in Indian Agriculture: Needs for a Wholistic Approach

<div> This paper critically evaluates the policy and institutional dynamics underlying India’s&nbsp;<span>agricultural policy and technological evolution, with a focus on liberalization of agricultural&nbsp;</span><span>markets and promote private investment in infrastructure such as cold chains and warehouses.&nbsp;</span><span>The paper examined the demands for a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) and&nbsp;</span><span>also structural constraints in existing market arrangements. Drawing on various government&nbsp;</span><span>reports and scholarly literature, the analysis shows that politically influenced Agricultural&nbsp;</span><span>Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) have historically limited private investment and&nbsp;</span><span>hindered market modernization. Negligible procurement of pulses and oilseeds at MSP&nbsp;</span><span>constrained crop diversification, while assured procurement of paddy and wheat ensured&nbsp;</span><span>price stability but contributed to monocropping systems, dietary imbalance and persistent&nbsp;</span><span>undernutrition among women and children. Farmers cultivating non-cereal crops continue to&nbsp;</span><span>face price volatility, low profitability, and increasing import dependence. The paper proposes a&nbsp;</span><span>restructured MSP framework built on income insurance, combining limited cereal procurement,</span> </div> <div> Price Deficiency Payments, and strengthened APMCs and Farmer Producer Organisations. </div>