The High Cost of Failed Farming Reform

The government initiated the PM Agriculture Modernization Program with big promises and huge financial plans. It seemed like a reasonable approach since agriculture still feeds millions of citizens here. The program intended to ensure that the developed agriculture sector in the country with improved productivity would not only boost the economy but would help create more job opportunities, making the country self-reliant. After 10 years, the outcomes appear dismal, though. Billions of rupees were spent, subsidy programs provided and objectives announced. However, overall results are not impressive enough. According to the latest report from the Office of the Attorney General, the performance of the program has been pathetic. Out of the planned 15,000 pocket areas, there were only 9,162 pocket areas set up. Among 300 zones, only 206 were established. As for the employment creation, it turned out to be much less than expected. Initially, 309,000 jobs had to be generated, however, the outcome was just 225,000. More troubling is the financial side. Out of Rs 56.54 billion released by the state, only Rs 36.50 billion had been utilized by the last fiscal year. Even after heavy subsidies of up to 85 percent, the outcomes remained limited. That is not a sign of modernization. It is a sign of weak planning and weak governance. Humans somehow found a way to spend huge amounts of public money and still leave farmers frustrated. A talent, in its own depressing category.