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 DetailsRajasthan Agricultural labour30 Small-scale farmer194 Medium-scale farmer53 Large-scale farmer56 Multiple role26

Tables Contd. Reasons for Cultivation of current crops Traditional practice254 Government subsidies/incentives 0 Recent market Demand 16 Contract Farming1 Others18

Tables Contd Primary Selling point Govt. Procurement1 Local Private Agents136 Directly at Mandis114 Self Consumption59 Multiple points46

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 Yes105 No207 Family members work 43 Others2

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 members155 Others36

Agency extending Support Local Panchayat61 Agricultural dept./State government 121 Neighbours39 None/self27 Others14

Experience with NREGS Applied/has hob card 146 Did not seek work22 Doesn’t know about NREGS 4 Less than 100 days work received 106 Less than stipulated wage 107

Views on Gram Sabha Attended Gram Sabhas197 Not attended142 Not interested22 Don’t know about gram sabha 30 Made suggestions162 Recommendations- implemented 85 Recommendations-not implemented 131

People’s Representatives They do138 No172 No Answer51

Funds available to the Gram Panchayat Sufficient80 Not sufficient 116 Don’t know155

Knowledge on international trade Have knowledge37 Don’t know240 Sell to exporters6 Adverse impact of import 19 Don’t know16

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