An empty chair

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) is one of the key institutions of the agriculture ministry that determines the crucial minimum support price for more than 20 crops, which, in some cases, is the de facto procurement price as well. It has been more than a year since the CACP had a full-time chairperson. The last full-time chairperson was economist Ashok Gulati, after whom the position was temporarily held by Ashok Vishandass. Since Vishandass moved on, the job is being handled by the secretary in the Department of Agriculture. Given that farm-gate prices of most agricultural commodities have dropped to historic lows, experts reckon, the post needs a full-time agricultural economist sooner than later. Insiders say the agriculture ministry was keen to appoint a farm leader to the post, but figured that would be impossible under current rules. Finding true-blue agricultural economists is a tough job, so it's anybody's guess when the chairperson's post will finally be filled.