Indian Wheat and Rice Sector Policies and the Implications of Reform

by Shikha Jha, P.V. Srinivasan, and Maurice Landes

During 1998-2002, India experienced record public surpluses of wheat and rice, sharply higher Government subsidy outlays, and declining per capita consumption. By 2006, despite continued high subsidies and sluggish domestic consumption, India developed a large wheat deficit. The pronounced market cycles and declines in per capita consumption for India's major food staples are creating pressure for Indian policymakers to adjust longstanding policies.

Keywords: India, wheat, rice, production, consumption, trade, policy, reform

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Report summary
• Abstract, Contents, and Summary
• Introduction
• Production and Producer Policy
• Consumption and Consumer Policy
• Trade and Trade Policy
• Government Food Grain Operations
• Wheat and Rice Sector Reform Options
• Conclusions
• References
• Appendix 1: Spatial Model of India?s Wheat and Rice Sectors
• Appendix 2: Statistical Tables