Foreword by Prof. Kaushik Basu This book traces the development experience of one of India's most dynamic and prosperous states, Punjab, which has provided the country with a much-needed degree of food security. The relative regression of Punjab's economy in the post-economic reforms period and slow current economic growth give cause for concern. The contributions in this book address the question of why the structural transformation of Punjab's economy has fallen into the middle-income trap. Each investigates the policy constraints influencing the relative stagnation of the economy and suggests appropriate measures for alleviating them. By integrating theoretical constructs and new evidence, the authoritative contributions diagnose the nature of the current problems and offer practical solutions. They cover important issues such as the crisis of agrarian transition, agrarian markets and distributive justice, employment growth and transition to non-agriculture sectors, fiscal policy, external factors in economic transformation, and perspectives on rejuvenating the state's economy.

Countries around the world are working to counter the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their healthcare systems, their economies and industries. This book brings together strategies for the adoption of new technologies and innovation systems which would help re-invigorate social and economic institutions and help communities, especially in the Global South. The book focuses on innovation systems that address health and socio-economic inequalities in countries such as India, Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica and others. It looks into the responses of different countries to the shocks inflicted on the economy and health systems by the pandemic from the perspective of government institutions as well as businesses, industries and communities. The pandemic forced many organisations to embrace various innovative strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ameliorate the lives of people including employees, people from marginalised communities and low-income groups who have suffered due to the disease. The essays in this book study innovative interventions and community-based measures which reached many people and paved the way for policies which helped rebuild communities sustainably. The volume also analyses how these newly created and streamlined health and economic innovation systems will be carried forward in the post-COVID-19 world to address weaknesses in health and governance and address inequalities, especially for countries in the global south. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of economics, political economy, health and economics, development studies, public policy and sociology.

Countries around the world are working to counter the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their healthcare systems, their economies and industries. This book brings together strategies for the adoption of new technologies and innovation systems which would help re-invigorate social and economic institutions and help communities, especially in the Global South. The book focuses on innovation systems that address health and socio-economic inequalities in countries such as India, Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica and others. It looks into the responses of different countries to the shocks inflicted on the economy and health systems by the pandemic from the perspective of government institutions as well as businesses, industries and communities. The pandemic forced many organisations to embrace various innovative strategies to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ameliorate the lives of people including employees, people from marginalised communities and low-income groups who have suffered due to the disease. The essays in this book study innovative interventions and community-based measures which reached many people and paved the way for policies which helped rebuild communities sustainably. The volume also analyses how these newly created and streamlined health and economic innovation systems will be carried forward in the post-COVID-19 world to address weaknesses in health and governance and address inequalities, especially for countries in the global south. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of economics, political economy, health and economics, development studies, public policy and sociology.

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the pre-Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 situation and public policy measures needed to revive the economy in the light of the recent initiatives by the state government, including a committee to suggest post-Covid-19 revival strategy. This collection of essays by specialized author/s in her/his/their area of research examines the impact of Covid-19 in the larger context of economic and developmental context of Punjab, ranging from basic developmental transformation analysis to the specific policy issues in each sector and policy domain, including the larger developmental crisis in the context of the regional economy and society of Punjab. The sectors analysed include: agriculture including dairy sector and agricultural markets, industry, services, education, health, besides fiscal, banking, diaspora, gender, governance, and sustainability challenges the state economy faces. It dwells on sector specific issues as well as ways forward for betterment of livelihoods of those engaged, especially farmers and industrial and service sector informal workers.

This book looks at agricultural systems and rural economies in Asia through the prism of alternative innovation systems, alternative public policy and institutional changes. The massive shifts within the agricultural economy in Asia, geared towards increasing production, has had a direct effect on the livelihood of a large mass of people in rural societies, causing financial and social distress. This book explores a wide range of solutions, such as the role of education, improving technical skills and human capital, along with interactive learning in R&D, harnessing ICTs and institutional innovations, to see how these problems can be alleviated. The volume looks at how these methods can help formulate alternative ways to build sustainable and inclusive agricultural societies, ensure food security, sustainable growth and agricultural productivity. This book, rich in theoretical and empirical matter, will be useful for academics and researchers interested in agricultural innovation, development studies and agricultural economics. It will also be of interest to policymakers and thinktanks working towards inclusive social development and sustainability in Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

This book looks at agricultural systems and rural economies in Asia through the prism of alternative innovation systems, alternative public policy and institutional changes. The massive shifts within the agricultural economy in Asia, geared towards increasing production, has had a direct effect on the livelihood of a large mass of people in rural societies, causing financial and social distress. This book explores a wide range of solutions, such as the role of education, improving technical skills and human capital, along with interactive learning in R&D, harnessing ICTs and institutional innovations, to see how these problems can be alleviated. The volume looks at how these methods can help formulate alternative ways to build sustainable and inclusive agricultural societies, ensure food security, sustainable growth and agricultural productivity. This book, rich in theoretical and empirical matter, will be useful for academics and researchers interested in agricultural innovation, development studies and agricultural economics. It will also be of interest to policymakers and thinktanks working towards inclusive social development and sustainability in Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

This volume provides a comprehensive and detailed socio-economic overview of agrarian distress in India which has manifested in the suicides of farmers and agricultural labourers. Using empirical research and field data from rural India, especially Punjab, this book examines the underlying causes of farmer suicide and steps which can mitigate the crisis. Covering nearly 1,400 rural households, the research in this volume identifies the various dimensions of the deepening crisis in agriculture and farming. It categorises the factors of the problem across different regions and estimates its extent and magnitude. In this updated edition the authors focus on instances of political mobilization and collective movements by farmers struggling to bring the issue of agrarian distress to attention. The book also discusses the implementation of state-waivered loans and compensations and their effect on the farming community. Topical, comprehensive and rich in data, this book will be valuable to scholars and researchers of political economy, agricultural economics, South Asian politics, political sociology and public policy.

Asian economic development and environmental consequences are not only crucial for the wellbeing of the people, but are of great relevance for the global economy. The ongoing intense debate on carbon emission mitigating strategies for reducing the impact of environmental consequences has undermined the principle of equity and put a question mark on the sustainability of the development process of the most dynamic Asian economies. This volume explores fresh perspectives on the issues of wellbeing, Asian economic development and environmental concerns. The book is organised along six themes: issues in sustainability of Asian agriculture; ecological concerns in theory and practice; core themes in economic development; resource management and policy alternatives; discrimination and socio-economic equity in development; and peasant distress and sustainability of cotton economy. The articles are based on unique quantitative data and a rigorous analytical framework for examining policies for an equitable economic and environmental international regime.

Asian economic development and environmental consequences are not only crucial for the wellbeing of the people, but are of great relevance for the global economy. The ongoing intense debate on carbon emission mitigating strategies for reducing the impact of environmental consequences has undermined the principle of equity and put a question mark on the sustainability of the development process of the most dynamic Asian economies. This volume explores fresh perspectives on the issues of wellbeing, Asian economic development and environmental concerns. The book is organised along six themes: issues in sustainability of Asian agriculture; ecological concerns in theory and practice; core themes in economic development; resource management and policy alternatives; discrimination and socio-economic equity in development; and peasant distress and sustainability of cotton economy. The articles are based on unique quantitative data and a rigorous analytical framework for examining policies for an equitable economic and environmental international regime.

This volume provides a comprehensive and detailed socio-economic overview of agrarian distress in India which has manifested in the suicides of farmers and agricultural labourers. Using empirical research and field data from rural India, especially Punjab, this book examines the underlying causes of farmer suicide and steps which can mitigate the crisis. Covering nearly 1,400 rural households, the research in this volume identifies the various dimensions of the deepening crisis in agriculture and farming. It categorises the factors of the problem across different regions and estimates its extent and magnitude. In this updated edition the authors focus on instances of political mobilization and collective movements by farmers struggling to bring the issue of agrarian distress to attention. The book also discusses the implementation of state-waivered loans and compensations and their effect on the farming community. Topical, comprehensive and rich in data, this book will be valuable to scholars and researchers of political economy, agricultural economics, South Asian politics, political sociology and public policy.

Foreword by Prof. Kaushik Basu This book traces the development experience of one of India's most dynamic and prosperous states, Punjab, which has provided the country with a much-needed degree of food security. The relative regression of Punjab's economy in the post-economic reforms period and slow current economic growth give cause for concern. The contributions in this book address the question of why the structural transformation of Punjab's economy has fallen into the middle-income trap. Each investigates the policy constraints influencing the relative stagnation of the economy and suggests appropriate measures for alleviating them. By integrating theoretical constructs and new evidence, the authoritative contributions diagnose the nature of the current problems and offer practical solutions. They cover important issues such as the crisis of agrarian transition, agrarian markets and distributive justice, employment growth and transition to non-agriculture sectors, fiscal policy, external factors in economic transformation, and perspectives on rejuvenating the state's economy.