New Delhi, March 23 -- Jobs and Skills
Undoubtedly, two major issues that would impact the course and results of the 2019 general election are the agrarian crisis and unemployment. India's foodgrains production touched an unprecedented 281.7 MT in 2017-18. Its horticulture, meat and milk production have also set new records in output and exports. These are aggregate statistics. For the individual farmer, however, agriculture has remained an unprofitable occupation and the growing incidence of farmer suicides reflects ground level frustrations.
A retired IPS officer from Rajasthan recently told me that despite his best efforts he incurs a net annual loss of Rs. 4000 per hectare in each cropping season. Growing two crops on his ancestral la...