On March 26-28, 2007, the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) and the Forum of Environmental Journalists of India (FEJI) organized a media forum in Mumbai, India. The forum, which brought together 25 journalists from across India, focused on the role of subsidies in contributing to the agrarian crisis in India, with particular reference to the suicides of farmers. From this, speakers moved to a deeper analysis of the crisis facing India’s agrarian economy, and the role that subsidies have played in alleviating or exacerbating the situation.
 
The event featured presentations from leading experts on agriculture in India, including Professor M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. The forum also provided journalists with an opportunity to discuss amongst themselves how coverage of India’s agrarian economy could be improved, and topics for future investigation and reporting.

Presentations:

 Understanding the Role of Subsidies and Investment in Indian Agriculture (PDF - 409 KB)
Ashok Gulati, Director in Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute, describes the current state of subsidies to agriculture in India; their magnitude and impacts; and avenues for reform. 
 
Agriculture Subsidies: Policies and Impacts (PDF - 256 KB)
Dr. H K Amar Nath, Senior Economist, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, presents on fertilizer and irrigation subsidies: why and how these subsidy policies have been formed and some of the consequences for the livelihoods of Indian farmers.
 
An Introduction for Journalists: Approaching the Subsidy Beast (PDF – 624 KB)
Ronald Steenblik, the GSI’s Director of Research, discusses how journalists can approach the difficult subject of subsidies through a series of illustrative examples from around the world.