Introduction Food processing plays a pivotal role in India’s agricultural and economic development. India, being an agrarian economy with a large population, produces a diverse range of agricultural commodities, including cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and spices. However, a significant portion of produce is lost post-harvest due to poor storage, inadequate processing infrastructure, and lack…
Introduction A commodity futures market is a financial marketplace where participants trade standardized contracts for the future delivery of commodities such as agricultural products, metals, and energy resources. Unlike spot markets, where commodities are traded for immediate delivery, futures markets allow producers, consumers, and investors to lock in prices for delivery at a later date….
Introduction Agriculture in India is highly dependent on weather conditions. Variability in rainfall, temperature extremes, droughts, floods, and unseasonal events can significantly affect crop yields. Traditional crop insurance schemes often struggled to provide timely relief to farmers due to delayed loss assessments and area-based compensation models. To address these challenges, the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme…
Introduction Agriculture in India remains highly vulnerable to natural calamities such as droughts, floods, cyclones, pests, and diseases. Small and marginal farmers, who form the majority of India’s agricultural sector, often bear the brunt of these risks. Crop failure not only reduces farmers’ income but also leads to indebtedness and poverty. To address these challenges,…
Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, employing more than half of the country’s workforce and contributing significantly to GDP. Despite its importance, the agricultural sector has historically faced challenges such as fragmented markets, lack of transparency in pricing, dominance of middlemen, and limited access to fair markets for farmers. To address these concerns,…
Introduction Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) form an integral part of India’s financial architecture aimed at promoting rural development. Established in 1975 under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976, RRBs were designed to combine the local feel and accessibility of cooperatives with the professionalism and financial strength of commercial banks. Over the years, however, RRBs faced…
Introduction In India, agriculture and allied activities employ nearly half of the population, yet farmers and rural households often face a shortage of institutional credit. Before the 1970s, rural credit was dominated by moneylenders and informal sources, which imposed high interest rates and exploited farmers. While commercial banks and cooperatives existed, they were unable to…
Introduction The Cooperative Credit Society is one of the oldest and most significant institutions in India’s cooperative movement. Based on the principle of mutual help, democratic management, and collective ownership, these societies were designed to provide credit and financial support to members, especially small farmers, artisans, and rural communities. In a country like India, where…
Introduction Land is one of the most crucial resources in any country, forming the backbone of agriculture, urban development, infrastructure, and economic planning. In India, land ownership and management have historically been complex due to fragmented records, outdated manual systems, and disputes over ownership. Recognizing the urgent need to modernize and integrate land records across…
Introduction The 21st century is witnessing a dynamic shift in global economic power. Emerging economies are playing an increasingly critical role in shaping international trade, finance, and sustainable development agendas. Among these, India is uniquely positioned to assume a Vishwaguru role—not only as a cultural and scientific leader but also as a key player in…