Is the stage set for Mainstreaming
International Trade in to the Development
Strategy in Rajasthan?
A Presentation
By
Suprita Jayaram
CUTS 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
Government
subsidies/incentives
Recent market
Demand
Contract Farming
Others
254
0
16
1
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 43
members
work
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
146
card
Did not seek work 22
Doesn’t know
4
about NREGS
Less than 100 days 106
work received
Less than
107
stipulated wage
Views on Gram Sabha
Attended Gram Sabhas
197
Not attended
Not interested
Don’t know about gram
sabha
Made suggestions
Recommendationsimplemented
Recommendations-not
implemented
142
22
30
162
85
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 19
import
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