ThePrint ThePrintPod: 'India has an import dependency problem'- Here's what Budget 2026 can change
Jan 21, 2026
The discussion dives deep into India's economy, addressing the troubling import dependency in essential sectors. Bidisha highlights the paradox of food production, showcasing rice surpluses alongside excessive imports of edible oils and pulses. She emphasizes how procurement practices shape farmer crop choices, leading to increased reliance on imports. A call for policy reform emerges, advocating for stable trade responses and diversification strategies. Ultimately, the message is clear: India’s import reliance is a policy issue that can be rewritten for stronger resilience.
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Growth Hides Import Vulnerabilities
- India grows fast but still shows puzzling import dependence in essentials like edible oil and pulses.
- Bidisha Bhattacharya argues this contradiction reflects policy choices, not natural scarcity.
Policy Shapes Crop Choices
- Strong price support and assured procurement for rice and wheat concentrate production in those crops.
- Weak procurement and unpredictable policy for pulses and oils drive import dependence and underproduction.
Farmers React To Policy Certainty
- Farmers respond to predictable policy signals, not just price spikes at harvest time.
- When downside risks are permanent but upside is temporary, farmers rationally shift to safer, supported crops.