Is the stage set for Mainstreaming International Trade in to the Development

Strategy in Rajasthan?

A PresentationBy

Suprita JayaramCUTS International

What is the logic of MINTDEV?

• MINTDEV so far…

• Main Objectives– Ensure and enhance positive linkages between

trade and human development– Foster equity and accountability of the national

trade policy

Rajasthan Survey

Main Findings:

• There is asymmetric information gap

• Poor management of government schemes

• Knowledge on Trade and Globalisation is poor

• No visible decision-making powers among women and other ‘minorities’.

Policy Making

• Is it inclusive?

• Trade policy making in India

• Agriculturists in India

Rajasthan Survey: In more detail

• 45% of the households surveyed were small/subsistence farmers

• Level of awareness : affected by Socio-cultural factors & literacy

• Popular reasons for cultivation of crops: Traditional practice & Demand from the market

• Primary selling option: Mandi & Private Trader

(Contd)…

Supporting Tables:

Occupational Details of respondents

Occupation Details Rajasthan

Agricultural labour 30

Small-scale farmer 194

Medium-scale farmer 53

Large-scale farmer 56

Multiple role 26

Tables Contd.

Reasons for Cultivation of current crops

Traditional practice 254

Government subsidies/incentives

0

Recent market Demand

16

Contract Farming 1

Others 18

Tables Contd

Primary Selling point

Govt. Procurement 1

Local Private Agents 136

Directly at Mandis 114

Self Consumption 59

Multiple points 46

Effectiveness of Farming

Predominantly the stakeholders considered farming an insufficient option to meet their needs.

There were perceptible differences in the responses given by different groups of farmers

Yes 105

No 207

Family members work

43

Others 2

Government Support

The success of the government support schemes depends on :

• Resolution of the problem of vested interests

• Quality of information available to the target population

• Addressing the inefficiency and corruption in the implementation of the schemes.

Primary contact for government support

Approach Department directly

124

Go through political leader

37

Panchayat members 155

Others 36

Agency extending Support

Local Panchayat 61

Agricultural dept./State government

121

Neighbours 39

None/self 27

Others 14

Experience with NREGS

Applied/has hob card

146

Did not seek work 22

Doesn’t know about NREGS

4

Less than 100 days work received

106

Less than stipulated wage

107

Views on Gram Sabha

Attended Gram Sabhas 197

Not attended 142

Not interested 22

Don’t know about gram sabha

30

Made suggestions 162

Recommendations-implemented

85

Recommendations-not implemented

131

People’s Representatives

They do 138

No 172

No Answer 51

Funds available to the Gram Panchayat

Sufficient 80

Not sufficient

116

Don’t know 155

Knowledge on international trade

Have knowledge 37

Don’t know 240

Sell to exporters 6

Adverse impact of import

19

Don’t know 16

Key Observations

• Rampant Corruption at the level of the Gram Panchayat

• The missing opinion: Women and marginal groups

• Lack of reach to government support mechanisms

• Water: important determinant of profitability

• Ignorance about trade and globalisation

• Complicated signaling process

Advocacy inputs

• Promoting coherence in policy making

• Social Infrastructure apart from physical infrastructure

• Bridging the information gap, instilling Accountability and reliability

• Assessing needs