India's Agricultural Subsidies and Self-Sufficiency

India embarked on a massive agricultural revamp in the 60s to become self-sufficient in food production. They introduced high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and improved machinery. To incentivize farmers, India offered a minimum support price (MSP), ensuring the government would buy crops if a better price wasn't available. This initiative was successful, and India became the largest rice exporter. However, other countries complained to the WTO about India's alleged unfair trade practices, claiming the government was buying crops at low prices and exporting them cheaply, hindering their own farmers. WTO rules allow subsidies, but with limits. India has defended its subsidies, citing its food security needs and showing calculations that comply with WTO regulations. India seeks support from other countries to change subsidy rules, such as adjusting the reference price to a more recent average or factoring in inflation.