AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY

Moderator: Dr. Bharat Ramaswami (Professor of Economics, Ashoka University)

Panellists: Dr. Ramesh Chand (Member, NITI Aayog), Siraj Hussain (Former Food and Agriculture Secretary, GOI), Dr. Srivalli Krishnan (Senior Program Officer - Agricultural Development, Gates Foundation)

Dr. Ramesh Chand discussed dietary transitions, subsidy reforms, and environmental sustainability. The session highlighted the shift from cereals to high-value foods, need for agro-industrialization, and the role of climate-resilient farming.