India’s Agricultural Reforms Move Toward Time-Bound, Transparent and Farmer-Centric Governance

Indian agriculture is entering a decisive phase where transparency, accountability and time-bound delivery are becoming central to reform. The three-day Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) brought these themes into focus, placing farmers firmly at the centre of policy conversations and institutional restructuring.

Organised at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) campus, the annual mela reaffirmed its role as a critical interface between science and the field. Scientists, policymakers, financial institutions and progressive farmers shared a common platform to deliberate on practical reforms that can strengthen last-mile delivery in agriculture.

From ‘Farmers First’ to System-Centric Reform

A prominent thread running through discussions was the shift from symbolic 'Farmers First' messaging to system-level governance. The emphasis was clear: benefits intended for farmers must reach them within defined timelines. Whether procurement payments, subsidy transfers or institutional credit, delivery efficiency is now seen as a policy priority.

Delayed payments - especially under procurement systems - came under sharp scrutiny. The suggestion that interest liability may be imposed for withheld dues signals a push towards financial discipline in schemes directly impacting farm incomes.

Monitoring as the Missing Link in Mechanisation and Subsidy Schemes

India operates multiple central and state-supported schemes for mechanisation, micro-irrigation, and protected cultivation. While budget allocations are significant, discrepancies persist between sanctioned beneficiaries and actual delivery.

The mela highlighted the need for robust monitoring frameworks, noting that fund release alone is insufficient. Ensuring that machines, infrastructure and subsidies reach genuine farmers - without leakage or delays - is emerging as a core reform area.

KVKs as District-Level Reform Nerve Centres

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) were identified as pivotal to the next phase of agricultural transformation. Positioned across districts, KVKs can serve as operational nodes connecting research, extension and localised decision-making.

Strengthening their capacity is essential for faster dissemination of new crop varieties, integrated farming models, pest advisories and climate-resilient technologies. In an era of extreme weather variability, this research-to-village bridge has never been more critical.

Credit Reform: Making Affordable Credit Also Timely

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) mechanism, with effective interest rates around 4%, has improved access to institutional finance. Yet field realities show that procedural delays in loan disbursal often push farmers toward informal borrowing.

The policy conversation is therefore expanding from interest rates to delivery timelines. Affordable credit must also be timely credit, especially ahead of sowing seasons when liquidity needs are most acute.

Towards Transparent Pesticide Licensing and Stronger Quality Control

The complexity of pesticide licensing remains a bottleneck. Lengthy approval cycles delay the entry of quality products, while substandard inputs continue to circulate.

Simplifying procedures, enforcing defined timelines, and improving transparency were highlighted as essential steps. Such reforms would help genuine companies operate efficiently while enabling stricter action against counterfeit products, ultimately benefiting farmers through better crop protection.

Revisiting MSP Procurement Timelines

The practicality of the current Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement window also came under review. Prolonged procurement periods create distress for farmers unable to store produce for extended durations.

A shift toward shorter, time-bound procurement cycles could ease liquidity constraints and reduce speculative space for intermediaries. Faster procurement translates directly to faster income realisation for farmers.

Fertiliser Subsidy Reform: Evaluating a DBT Approach

With annual fertiliser subsidies exceeding ₹2 lakh crore, debates around efficiency and targeting are growing sharper. A potential transition to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for fertilisers was revisited as a structural reform option.

If implemented carefully, DBT could enhance farmer choice, reduce leakages and ensure subsidies reach actual cultivators. However, execution design will be crucial, given the risks of transitional disruptions and regional disparities.

‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’: Scientific Advisory Before the Season

A renewed outreach initiative - the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan - is expected to commence ahead of the kharif season. The objective is straightforward: scientists must reach villages before sowing decisions are made.

Timely advisory on seeds, pest management, water use and market-linked production can improve yields and income stability, especially under uncertain climatic conditions.

Beyond an Exhibition: A National Policy Confluence

The Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela has evolved beyond a conventional agricultural exhibition. It now functions as a national confluence where policy intent, scientific capability and grassroots realities converge.

For Indian agriculture to transition toward a 'Viksit Krishi' framework, reforms must remain farmer-centric, transparent and measurable. The discussions at Pusa suggest that the reform narrative is shifting from announcements to implementation integrity.

Ultimately, what matters to farmers is straightforward: timely payments, accessible credit, quality inputs, assured markets and reliable scientific guidance. The coming seasons will determine whether these reform signals translate into measurable outcomes on the ground.