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With research staff from more than 70 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

David Spielman

David Spielman is the director of IFPRI’s Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit and has been with the institute since 2004. His research agenda covers a range of topics including agriculture and rural development policy; agricultural science, technology, and innovation; plant genetic resources and seed systems; agricultural extension and advisory services; and community-driven rural development.

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Since 1975, IFPRI’s research has been informing policies and development programs to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the world.

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India

countries and regions

Publications

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Journal Article

Food subsidies in India: Revisiting the estimates

2026Narayanan, Sudha; Saha, Shree
Details

Food subsidies in India: Revisiting the estimates

There is a view that the fis­cal bur­den of food sub­si­dies in India is un­sus­tain­able. Yet pop­u­lar de­bate and dis­cus­sion around the costs of these food sub­si­dies, rel­a­tive to their ben­e­fits, are mis­lead­ing for two rea­sons. First, they typ­i­cally treat re­ported bud­getary sub­sidy es­ti­mates—i.e. the fis­cal cost to the gov­ern­ment of the dis­tri­b­u­tion of food via ra­tion shops—as equiv­a­lent to “trans­fers” to ben­e­fi­cia­ries. Sec­ondly, they tend to focus ex­clu­sively on con­sumers. In doing so, they ne­glect the two-part na­ture of the food dis­tri­b­u­tion sys­tem, which in­cludes pay­ments to farm­ers at the time of pro­cure­ment. This paper ex­am­ines ways of mea­sur­ing the costs and value of the food sub­sidy. We pre­sent es­ti­mates that com­bine the im­plicit value of ben­e­fits to con­sumers aris­ing from the re­duced price of grain sold to con­sumers via ra­tion shops, with im­plicit ben­e­fits to farm­ers, in terms of the price dif­fer­ence be­tween what farm­ers are paid by the gov­ern­ment and what they would have ob­tained in the open mar­ket. This ap­proach shows that each rupee of the “food sub­sidy” re­ported in gov­ern­ment ac­counts rep­re­sents a trans­fer worth Rs 1.29 to con­sumers and farm­ers, on av­er­age, over the pe­riod 2001–02 to 2022–23. That is, each rupee trans­ferred to these groups is as­so­ci­ated with a cost of Rs 0.79 to the gov­ern­ment.

Year published

2026

Authors

Narayanan, Sudha; Saha, Shree

Citation

Narayanan, Sudha; and Saha, Shree. 2026. Food subsidies in India: Revisiting the estimates. Review of Agrarian Studies 16(1). 14 p. http://ras.org.in/food_subsidies_in_india

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Asia; Southern Asia; Subsidies; Food Aid; Social Protection; Fiscal Policies; Cost Benefit Analysis; Cash Transfers

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Record type

Journal Article

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Journal Article

Scaling biofortified wheat production for agrifood and nutritional security in eastern India: Evidence from five years of multi-location field evaluations in Bihar

2026
Giri, Ravinder Kumar; Cherian, Binu; Mendali, Birendra; Virk, Parminder; Pfeifer, Wolfgang; Jat, Raj Kumar; Meena, Moti Lal; Durgude, Shubham; Banerjee, Koushik; Hasanain, Mohammad
…more Meena, Vijay Singh
Details

Scaling biofortified wheat production for agrifood and nutritional security in eastern India: Evidence from five years of multi-location field evaluations in Bihar

Year published

2026

Authors

Giri, Ravinder Kumar; Cherian, Binu; Mendali, Birendra; Virk, Parminder; Pfeifer, Wolfgang; Jat, Raj Kumar; Meena, Moti Lal; Durgude, Shubham; Banerjee, Koushik; Hasanain, Mohammad; Meena, Vijay Singh

Citation

Giri, Ravinder Kumar; Cherian, Binu; Mendali, Birendra; Virk, Parminder; Pfeifer, Wolfgang; et al. 2026. Scaling biofortified wheat production for agrifood and nutritional security in eastern India: Evidence from five years of multi-location field evaluations in Bihar. Field Crops Research 341(May 1 2026): 110393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110393

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Southern Asia; Asia; Wheat; Biofortification; Nutrition Security; Food Security

Language

English

Access/Licence

Limited Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110393 Source record

Record type

Journal Article

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Repairing the mosaic: The political economy of landscape-level agroecological transitions in India

2026Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.; Singh, Sonali
Details

Repairing the mosaic: The political economy of landscape-level agroecological transitions in India

Year published

2026

Authors

Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.; Singh, Sonali

Citation

Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.; and Singh, Sonali. 2026. Repairing the mosaic: The political economy of landscape-level agroecological transitions in India. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 50(5): 1056-1085. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2025.2568498

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Asia; Southern Asia; Agroecology; Agrifood Systems; Political Aspects; Resilience; Stakeholders

Language

English

Access/Licence

Limited Access

Links

https://doi.org/10.1080/21683565.2025.2568498 Source record

Project

Agroecology

Record type

Journal Article

Datasets

Dataset

Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Survey, India

2025International Food Policy Research Institute; Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Details

Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Survey, India

In 2023, the Nature Positive Solutions (Nature+) Baseline survey was conducted in India, specifically focusing on the districts of Ahmednagar, Nashik, and Nandurbar in Maharashtra. The primary objective of the study was to assess the socio-economic conditions and agricultural systems in these regions, establishing a baseline to guide ongoing Nature+ interventions. The survey encompassed 1,228 smallholder farmer households, comprising 610 treated and 618 control households. Data collection utilized a two-stage sampling method and evaluated a range of variables, including socio-economic characteristics, agricultural practices, land use, nutrition, and the adoption of Nature+ practices. This comprehensive data will facilitate the assessment of Nature+ impacts on inclusion, poverty alleviation, food security, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. In addition, the survey included interviews with 27 communities, gathering information on socio-demographic characteristics, access to essential services, land ownership patterns, agricultural practices, extension services, and community-wide shocks. All monetary values are reported in Indian Rupees (INR).

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute; Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture. 2025. Nature+ Quantitative Baseline Survey, India. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/QTGQKG. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Southern Asia; Asia; Agrifood Systems; Baseline Studies; Sustainable Agriculture; Natural Resources Management; Land Degradation; Food Security; Climate Change; Intensive Farming

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/qtgqkg Source record

Project

Nature-Positive Solutions

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Frontline Workers

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Frontline Workers

This dataset originates from the Frontline Workers (FLW) Survey, conducted as part of the baseline for the impact evaluation of the Alive & Thrive (A&T) project in Gujarat, India. The study assessed the effectiveness of systems-strengthening interventions and local governance engagement in improving the quality and co-coverage of health and nutrition services in Gujarat, India. The baseline survey was conducted from March to May 2022 across three districts, namely Bharuch, Surat, and Mahesana, in 26 blocks, with 13 blocks randomly assigned to intervention and control groups and one additional urban block in Surat. It was implemented by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the survey firm Network for Engineering and Economics Research and Management (NEERMAN). The FLW Survey collected baseline data on service delivery practices, training, supervision, and challenges faced by frontline workers. It included the following modules: Identification; Demographic Information; Training Exposure; Service Delivery; Supervision; Knowledge of Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices; Facilitators and Challenges; Motivation, Satisfaction, and Self-Confidence. This dataset provides valuable insights into frontline worker performance, motivation, and support systems, contributing to the broader evaluation of how integrated systems-strengthening strategies can improve service delivery during the first 1,000 days of life.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2025. A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Frontline Workers. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/1SXCLG. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Southern Asia; Asia; Baseline Studies; Decision Making; Health; Health Communication; Nutrition; Nutrition Education; Maternal Nutrition; Infant Feeding; Breast Feeding; Child Nutrition

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/1sxclg Source record

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Pregnant Women

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Pregnant Women

This dataset comes from the Pregnant Women Survey, conducted as part of the baseline for the Alive & Thrive (A&T) impact evaluation in Gujarat, India. The study assessed how systems-strengthening interventions and local governance efforts improved the quality and coverage of nutrition and health services during pregnancy. The survey, carried out in three districts (Bharuch, Surat, Mahesana) between March–May 2022, collected data from women in both intervention and control blocks. It was implemented by IFPRI in partnership with Network for Engineering and Economics Research and Management (NEERMAN). The questionnaire consisted of multiple modules designed to gather comprehensive information on pregnant women’s experiences, knowledge, and service exposure. These data offer valuable insights into the reach and quality of nutrition and health services, particularly the delivery of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) by frontline workers such as Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), as well as the effectiveness of supervisory systems and local governance in addressing service gaps.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2025. A&T Gujarat Implementation Research Baseline Survey 2022: Pregnant Women. Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/MCH4TJ. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

India

Keywords

Southern Asia; Asia; Baseline Studies; Decision Making; Health; Health Communication; Nutrition; Nutrition Education; Maternal Nutrition; Infant Feeding; Breast Feeding

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/mch4tj Source record

Record type

Dataset

Blogs

Putting women at the center of agrifood transformation: Lessons from Odisha, India
Issue Post
 | 
March 16, 2026

Putting women at the center of agrifood transformation: Lessons from Odisha, India

By Bhumika Mishra, Vandana Vidhani, Devesh Roy, and Mamata Pradhan

Why gender is integral to policy.

How gendered is farm technology adoption? Evidence from India
Research Post
 | 
February 23, 2026

How gendered is farm technology adoption? Evidence from India

By Kajal Gulati, Nicholas Magnan, Travis J. Lybbert, and David Spielman

Unlocking information flows inside households.

Balancing external shocks and domestic reforms: Do U.S. tariffs erode India’s tax reform benefits?
Research Post
 | 
February 05, 2026

Balancing external shocks and domestic reforms: Do U.S. tariffs erode India’s tax reform benefits?

By Barun Deb Pal and Manmeet Ajmani

Modeling converging economic impacts.

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Events

IFPRI @ Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026)
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

March 12 to 14, 2026

IFPRI @ Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026)

IFPRI is pleased to be a co-organizer of the Global Conference on Women in Agrifood Systems (GCWAS 2026) that will be held in New Delhi, India from March 12-14, 2026. The Global Conference on Women in Agrifood Systems (GCWAS 2026) will bring together diverse stakeholders, including women leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and students, to share […]

AI4Agri Global Conference and Investor Summit 2026
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

February 22 to 23, 2026

AI4Agri Global Conference and Investor Summit 2026

AI4Agri 2026 – Global Conference & Investor Summit is a flagship event hosted by the Government of Maharashtra under its AI4Agri platform, a multi-year global initiative to drive agricultural transformation through responsible AI, frontier digital and emerging technologies, international collaboration, and large-scale investment in AgriTech solutions. Taking place on February 22–23, 2026 at the Jio […]

IFPRI @ India-AI Impact Summit 2026 & PAIRS 2026
IFPRI at External Event

 | 

February 16 to 20, 2026

IFPRI @ India-AI Impact Summit 2026 & PAIRS 2026

IFPRI is pleased to participate in the India‑AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 16–20, 2026, in New Delhi, India, as well as in the PAIRS 2026 Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium, a satellite event on February 18 focused on participatory approaches to AI research and practice. The PAIRS symposium brings together researchers and […]

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News

March 20, 2026 | In the News

How the Iran war threatens global food supply (NPR)

In an interview with NPR, IFPRI’s Avinash Kishore highlighted rising concerns among Indian farmers as fertilizer prices surge and supplies tighten due to the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

March 13, 2026 | Press Release

IFPRI–Dvara E‑Registry climate-smart agriculture lending innovation selected for global climate finance incubation

IFPRI and Dvara E‑Registry’s Insurance‑Backed Loans for Climate‑Smart Agriculture initiative has been selected by the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance as one of eight solutions entering its 2026 incubation cycle.

December 29, 2025 | In the News

India’s domination of global rice trade stokes looming water crisis (Reuters) 

Comments from IFPRI’s Avinash Kishore on how India’s new role as the world’s largest exporter of rice impacts scarce groundwater supplies. 

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Projects

Irrigation as a Service for Small-Scale Producers: Advancing Equity and Women’s Empowerment

Irrigation as a Service for Small-Scale Producers: Advancing Equity and Women’s Empowerment

Small-scale irrigation provides benefits for productivity, income, food security, nutrition, and resilience to climate shocks. However, women often face greater constraints than men to accessing……

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

…

Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation in the ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries

Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation in the ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries

The project “Ensuring Inclusiveness, Sustainability, and Efficiency of Food System Transformation in the ASEAN and BIMSTEC Countries (ATMI-II)”, is being led by IFPRI as the……

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