Ritika Juneja

Disruption caused by West Asia war carries a reminder: Policy reforms in fertiliser sector are overdueSubscriber Only

March 16,2026 06:13:15 AM

If this crisis can be converted into an opportunity to reform the sector, it will bring rich rewards

Reforming the fertiliser subsidy demands political courage, offers high rewardsSubscriber Only

December 22,2025 06:59:24 AM

The fertiliser subsidy is the second-largest item in the Union budget, next only to the food subsidy — its allocation is more than the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare allocation of Rs 1.37 lakh crore in FY26.

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Make the farm atmanirbharSubscriber Only

October 27,2025 06:12:39 AM

Self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds will not only improve India's nutritional security but also heal soils, conserve groundwater and save air from pollution

Planning the next leap forwardSubscriber Only

August 18,2025 07:05:15 AM

Carrying forward India's economy would require rationalising subsidies and increasing investments in agri-R&D and efficient value chains. Environmental sustainability has to be central to this journey.

To improve both crop and human nutrition, India needs a paradigm shiftSubscriber Only

July 21,2025 08:04:16 AM

Only when soils receive the nutrients do they produce food that nourishes rather than merely fills stomachs. This is no longer just an agricultural issue; it’s a public health imperative

Indian agriculture’s prospects depend on innovating and adopting genetic techSubscriber Only

July 07,2025 07:28:00 AM

Prime Minister Modi’s slogan — ‘Jai Anusandhan’ (hail innovation) — is inspiring and is backed by an ambitious Rs 1 lakh crore fund. But real progress needs commercial deployment of advanced biotech: Ht Bt cotton, Bt brinjal, GM mustard, and even GM soy and corn.

With poverty levels now at historic lows, a need to revisit food and fertiliser subsidiesSubscriber Only

June 23,2025 06:41:08 AM

These subsidies claim the largest resources in the agri-food space and yet give sub-optimal results.

Trade deals will bring opportunities for Indian agriculture. But there will also be challengesSubscriber Only

May 26,2025 07:34:39 AM

A consistent and strategic approach to trade, combined with long-term investments in sustainable productivity, will unlock the sector’s full potential on the global stage

The thread and weave of reforming India’s textiles industrySubscriber Only

March 31,2025 07:06:40 AM

Achieving the $100 billion target of textiles and apparel exports by 2030 seems a tall order, unless dramatic, game-changing reforms are introduced

What can the budget do for agricultureSubscriber Only

December 23,2024 07:35:08 AM

Policies should ensure agriculture respects soil health, it is more productive and remunerative for farmers. It should ensure nutritional security and not tax natural resources

All is not well with soilSubscriber Only

December 09,2024 05:05:09 AM

Fertiliser subsidy is causing a skewed nutrient profile. For farm productivity and human health, this must be addressed.

Import policy must be well-integrated with minimum support policySubscriber Only

May 27,2024 08:00:46 AM

First, instead of a sudden drop to zero import duty, it could have been more calibrated. Second, it must ensure that landed price is not below MSP of major pulses. Third, if domestic prices go below MSP, NAFED should undertake large scale procurement at MSP to build buffer stocks.

What we need is a farmer-friendly agri-export policySubscriber Only

May 13,2024 08:10:13 AM

The current government policy has a consumer bias — it discriminates against the farmer. This needs to change if we want to augment farmers’ incomes

New goverment must fix India’s food systemsSubscriber Only

April 15,2024 07:45:31 AM

Next government must focus on raising productivity in agriculture, scaling up processing and retailing, and facilitating the adoption of new technologies

Bringing Ram Rajya to rural IndiaSubscriber Only

February 05,2024 07:45:13 AM

Combining MGNREGA with PM Awas Yojana could ensure every household a reasonably good shelter

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Lessons from Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture modelSubscriber Only

February 20,2023 07:13:43 AM

A well-diversified portfolio in crops is behind the high growth in the state's farm sector. This is inclusive and sustainable and offers a path for other Indian states

From doles to development: Budget has done well to reorient government spending on subsidies towards rural infrastructure schemesSubscriber Only

February 06,2023 07:10:08 AM

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: The FM has announced an Agri-Focused Accelerator Fund. She also talked of creating digital public infrastructure for agriculture as an open-source, open-standard and interoperable public good.

Why India cannot afford to ignore the GM crop revolutionSubscriber Only

November 14,2022 06:20:26 AM

The agriculture of tomorrow is going to be science-based, and the winners will be those who adopt it and develop it further today.

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Why rice and wheat bans aren’t the answer to inflationSubscriber Only

July 04,2022 04:00:25 AM

Abrupt export bans inflict high costs on poorer nations. India’s agri-trade policies need to be predictable, rather than a result of knee-jerk reactions

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: An oil palm plan for homeSubscriber Only

June 20,2022 04:30:32 AM

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: It could help reduce import bill. But policymakers will need to develop a long-term vision, handhold small cultivators.

Ritika Juneja and Ashok Gulati write: Can agri-exports be made more sustainable?Subscriber Only

May 23,2022 04:34:28 AM

The real solution lies in incentivising farmers to switch some of the area under rice and sugar cultivation to other, less water-guzzling crops.

How to tackle food inflation – and how not toSubscriber Only

May 09,2022 03:00:51 AM

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Fear mongering over wheat production must not push the government towards an export ban, especially on cereals the prices of which are at an all-time high

Why reforming the system of free food is necessarySubscriber Only

April 25,2022 04:00:45 AM

Ashok Gulati and Ritika Juneja write: Given the level of freebies on just one item, the important question that arises is: Can this be a sustainable path towards poverty alleviation?

Edible Oil Mission is a good idea. But more is neededSubscriber Only

September 13,2021 03:55:30 AM

Ashok Gulati, Ritika Juneja write: The incentive structure that favours rice, wheat and sugar cultivation must be ended

Biofortified food can lead India from food security to nutrition securitySubscriber Only

August 30,2021 03:10:34 AM

Ashok Gulati, Ritika Juneja write: Access to nutritious food is only one of the determinants of nutrition. Other factors like access to safe drinking water and sanitation, immunisation and education, especially of women, are also important