Arcus Policy Research

🎙 Episode 2 is LIVE!

Indian Agricultural Markets: Signals, Distortions & Farmer Economics

India’s agricultural markets send signals every day — but are farmers really receiving the right ones? 🤔
In Episode 2 of the Samavesh Series, our CEO & Founder Shweta Saini is in conversation with former IAS officer and Chairperson, Samunnati Foundation – Mr. Pravesh Sharma, unpacking how market signals are formed, where distortions creep in, and what this means for farmer incomes.

▶️ Watch on YouTube
🎧 Now streaming on Spotify

Link in bio 🔗

Samavesh Series | Episode 2

India’s agricultural markets operate amidst policy signals, SnD dynamics, market distortions, and farmer economics.

In this episode, Shweta Saini, CEO & Founder, Arcus Policy Research, is in conversation with Mr. Pravesh Sharma, former IAS officer and Chairperson, Samunnati Foundation, to discuss how varied forces shape price discovery, farmer outcomes, and the broader agri ecosystem.

📅 Coming soon
Stay tuned

India has no shortage of public datasets. But too little of it is translated into clear, usable insight.

Today, we’re launching Bharat by Data - an initiative by Arcus Policy Research, in collaboration with Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS), to share theme-based data visuals grounded in credible public sources.

Our first visual asks a simple question:
How much does an average Indian farmer household earn? (Using MoSPI / NSSO Situation Assessment Survey, 2018–19)

What the data shows:
1. Rs. 10,218/month per agricultural household (All-India average)
2. Translating to about Rs. 70/day/family member (equivalent)
3. About 5x gap across states: from Punjab (Rs. 26.7k/month) to Odisha & Jharkhand (Rs.5k/month)
4. In states like Odisha, the equivalent is

Recap 2025

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on a year of sustained, wide-ranging engagement across research, fieldwork, policy dialogue, and institution-building.

Over the year, our work included:
* Deepening our conceptual and methodological work
* Expanding horizontally into emerging policy domains
* Large-scale primary research across multiple agricultural states
* Designing diagnostics and analytical frameworks, and interpreting findings in close engagement with institutional and field realities across diverse policy contexts

At the same time, we strengthened Arcus as an institution:
* Sharpening our vision, internal processes, and review systems
* Investing in technology and AI to support a more resilient research practice
* Celebrating the diversity of our growing team
* Broadening how we engage through new formats

Looking ahead:
* Creating sustained value for our partners and clients by going deeper, not broader
* Contributing to policy conversations through careful framing of questions, responsible interpretation of evidence, and close engagement with implementation realities

Thank you to our team, farmers, partners, collaborators, and institutions who have been part of this journey. We step into the new year with clarity, momentum, and care.

Merry Christmas from Arcus Policy Research. 🎄🎅🏽
Wishing everyone a season of peace, reflection,and renewed purpose. May the year ahead bring meaningful work and positive impact. 🎉🎉

The wait is over! 🎙️
Arcus Policy Research launches Samavesh, our first-ever podcast series—now live on YouTube and Spotify.
👉 Watch now! Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe.
Link is in bio 🔗

🎙️ Something important is coming your way…

Arcus Policy Research is set to launch a new podcast series exploring the ideas shaping India’s development journey.

In Episode 1, our CEO Shweta Saini sits down with Shri T. Nanda Kumar (ex-IAS; 40+ years of experience in food security & agriculture) to reflect on a question that matters to every researchers, policymakers, and every Indian who care about indian economy!

🔍 What lies ahead for India’s Public Distribution System (PDS)?

Expect a thoughtful conversation on food security, the role of technology, and how India’s aspirations are reshaping welfare systems.

🎧 Episode 1 drops soon. Stay tuned.