Zia Haq reports on public policy, economy and agriculture. Particularly interested in development economics and growth theories.
Articles by Zia Haq
Mughal-era practice behind unclear food output estimates?
India's government has admitted that its estimate of wheat output for the 2022-23 season is under dispute, with grain traders arguing that production could not have been more than 102-103 million tonnes, compared to the government's estimate of 112-113 million tonnes. The discrepancy has led to high cereal inflation in the country, despite expectations of falling prices and substantial state-held stocks. The government is now planning to use technology-driven models to improve its crop estimates and ensure more accurate data in the future.
Updated on Sep 30, 2023 11:57 PM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Follow directive on release of Cauvery water to TN, panel tells Karnataka
A top panel mandated to oversee sharing of water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu asked the former to follow directions issued earlier by a regulatory body.
Updated on Sep 30, 2023 08:37 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Cauvery dispute: Row deepens as Karnataka asked to release 3000 cu water to TN
On September 26, the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) had asked the Karnataka government to release 3000 cusecs water per second to its neighbour from September 26
Published on Sep 29, 2023 05:21 PM IST
At heart of Swaminathan’s work, dignity of labour, and life, to India’s farmers
Swaminathan ushered in India’s Green Revolution in late 1960s by massively ramping up cereal production by collaborating with US farm scientist Norman Borlaug.
Updated on Sep 29, 2023 04:44 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
M.S. Swaminathan: Agriculturalist who sparked a revolution dies at 98
Swaminathan, the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, and the World Food Prize, widely known as the father of the Green Revolution, died in Chennai on Thursday.
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 09:23 PM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
MS Swaminathan, the father of Green Revolution, dies
In the late 1960s and 1970s, the agriculturalist was instrumental in bringing industrial farming to India, making the country self-sufficient in food and reducing widespread hunger
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 05:06 PM IST
Steps to curb inflation cost farmers ₹45, 000 crore: Study
Indian farmers have lost at least INR 450bn ($6bn) in income this year due to measures implemented to curb inflation, according to a paper by economists at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. High inflation, largely driven by food prices, has led the government to impose restrictions on the trade of food commodities and introduce export taxes, reducing farmers' incomes. The government has underestimated the impact of these measures, with the price of cereals remaining high. A deficient monsoon has also raised concerns over a fall in food output, particularly of pulses, sugar and oilseeds.
Updated on Sep 28, 2023 09:58 AM IST
India to ship rice to UAE, 4th country to get grain since export ban
India, the world’s largest exporter of rice, barred overseas sales in July to cool high cereal inflation, which continues to be in double digits
Govt extends stock holding limits for pulses till December 3
A deficient south-west monsoon due to the El Nino weather pattern has shrunk the area sown with various types of widely consumed pulses
Published on Sep 26, 2023 12:55 AM IST
Centre imposes harsher measures to prevent pulses hoarding
Stock limits, imposed under the Essential Commodities Act, ensure traders and wholesalers can’t hold more than the prescribed quantities of a commodity, thereby minimising the scope of hoarding to inflate prices
Published on Sep 25, 2023 07:54 PM IST
As rains revive, paddy sowing hits record
Paddy acreage is 2.7% higher than the corresponding period of last year and 3% higher than the normal area as calculated by the agriculture ministry.
Updated on Sep 24, 2023 05:03 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Strain in ties with Canada could impact import of lentils, say traders
Diplomatic tensions between Canada and India may impact the import of lentils from Canada, as traders look to shift to Australia.
Updated on Sep 22, 2023 06:35 AM IST
India likely to achieve its rice output goal for kharif season
The country is likely to achieve its rice-output target of 111 million tonnes during the ongoing kharif or summer-sown season, senior farm ministry official said
Updated on Sep 20, 2023 12:44 AM IST
House bids adieu to grand rotunda
Modi leads tributes as mother of democracy spends last day in old home, sets sights on a historic beginning in new Parliament building
Published on Sep 19, 2023 12:10 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
PM Modi makes major conciliatory speech as nation transitions to new Parliament
Future proceedings of Parliament will commence from a modern building complex, next to the old one, which PM Narendra Modi had inaugurated in May this year
Updated on Sep 18, 2023 03:22 PM IST
Reforms needed to fix volatility in prices of tomato, onion and potato
Tomatoes have gone from being pricier (per kg) than petrol (per litre), to being cheaper than packaged water at the wholesale level
Updated on Sep 16, 2023 01:59 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Analysis: 15 years after Lehman, have we learnt the lessons?
The Subprime mortgage crisis, which sparked the 2008 crisis, refers to subprime borrowers of home loans. Some borrowers were labelled “Subprime” because of their risky creditworthiness
Published on Sep 15, 2023 01:34 PM IST
Centre rolls out measures to curb cereal prices
The food secretary said the government expected a bumper rice crop despite a patchy monsoon because of robust acreage.
Updated on Sep 15, 2023 01:41 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Govt announces more stringent measures to tame food prices
Union food secretary Sanjeev Chopra said there was sufficient availability of key commodities but there were attempts to create artificial scarcity
Published on Sep 14, 2023 06:34 PM IST
Tomatoes at ₹2/kg, farmers dump stock
The prices of tomatoes have crashed in major markets on oversupply, going from nearly ₹8000 a quintal to ₹200-300 a quintal
Updated on Sep 14, 2023 12:25 AM IST
India, Russia to set up alternative trade route: Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal said a workshop on the eastern maritime corridor will be convened in Chennai on October 31 and November 1
Govt seeks sugar sale data of last 4 months
Millers have to declare quantities sold to each client from May through August, including to traders, wholesalers, chain retailers and supermarkets
Govt seeks details of sugar sales over past 4 months to check hoarding
Millers have to declare quantities sold to each client from May through August, including to traders, wholesalers, chain retailers and supermarkets
Published on Sep 13, 2023 01:39 PM IST
Retail inflation cools in August at 6.83%, but stays above target
Consumer inflation rose at a slower pace in August, compared to July’s 7.44%, which was a 15-month high
Published on Sep 12, 2023 06:18 PM IST
It’s Rangolis and raining millets: How G20 heads’ spouses got a taste of India
The visitors witnessed climate-resistant crops, transforming technologies by 15 agri startups, and interacted with farmers.
Updated on Sep 10, 2023 05:18 AM IST
Food Security | El Nino to keep food supplies tight, upside risk to inflation
The key concern is a dent in agriculture output at a time when food inflation is high and recovery in the rural economy still weak
Updated on Sep 09, 2023 10:15 AM IST
Govt seeks info on lentil stock to curb price manipulation
Undisclosed stocks will be treated as hoarding and action under the Essential Commodities Act will be initiated, according to the order
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 01:07 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Deficient rains push sugar prices to six-year high
The country’s annual consumption of the sweetener is about 27 million tonne. The government said it is set to bring out official estimates of sugar production.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 05:21 AM IST
Scant rainfall triggers low yield fears in crucial states
A weak southwest monsoon in India has led to drought-like conditions in some major food-bowl states, causing decline in crop yields and water and power crisis.
Updated on Sep 04, 2023 01:37 AM IST
Zia Haq, New Delhi
Crops under stress after driest August on record
A strengthening El Nino is causing drought in India, leading to a 35% decrease in rainfall in August and a 9% deficiency in the monsoon season. This could impact yields of important crops, such as soyabean, cotton, and pulses, which are produced in central Indian states. A sub-par monsoon could cut yields and push up food prices, which would have a negative impact on India's economy. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted a revival of the monsoon within a week, but private forecasters have said that the monsoon season this year is likely to be below normal.
Updated on Sep 02, 2023 12:20 AM IST
