Teaching

Area of Research:

• Research and consulting interests focus on agricultural and food policies, international trade issues including the World Trade Organization (WTO), agribusiness competitiveness and strategic planning, pricing policy, subsidies, rural infrastructure, and food safety and quality issues. Teaches courses on Agricultural and Food Policy, International Trade and Commodity Trading and Risk Management.

Current Research:

• Currently involved in studies on issues related to subsidies in Indian agriculture, linking small-scale producers to markets, implications of the WTO for Indian agriculture, agri-market reforms, commodity markets and livestock sector policy analysis.

• Today the role of fertilizer subsidies is again an important issue in agricultural policy debate. There is a general view in academic, policy and political circles that subsidies are concentrated geographically, they are concentrated on relatively few crops and few producers and in many cases do not reach the targeted group(s). One of the most contentious issues surrounding fertilizer subsidy in India is how much of what is paid out actually finds its way into the pocket of the farmer, and how much is siphoned away by the input companies. In order to address some these issues, we recently completed a Study on Indian Fertilizer Sector. The study provides a comprehensive overview of growth of Indian fertilizer sector and analyzes trends and patterns in consumption of fertilizers at all-India, regional, state and district level. Various issues related to imbalance in fertilizer use and pattern of fertilizer use by farm size and crops have been studied. Macro aspects of India fertilizer sector policy environment, fertilizers price policy objectives, relations between fertilizers prices and consumption over-time, and economics of fertilizer use have analyzed. The extent, nature and causes of fertilizers subsidies, as well as issues related to equity in distribution of fertilizer subsidy have been addressed. 

• Completed a study on issues related to "Inclusion of Small-Scale Producers in Dynamic Local and Regional Agri-Food Markets". The focus of the research program is on the restructuring of dynamic national and regional Agri-food industries, and the effects that this market restructuring is having on small-scale farmers and implications for local rural economies including local labourers. The program emphasizes analysis of all three segments of the food industry (retail, processing, and wholesaling), as they are intimately connected, in particular in the cases of fresh produce and processed products. The work has two overarching objectives: (i) to inform, with facts and recommendations for practical action, public sector policy and private sector strategies; (ii) to build local capacity to continue to inform the policy debate and process.

Publications/Articles/Cases:

• Sharma, Vijay Paul, Bill Vorley, Abid Suleri, Larry Digal and Jikun Huang (2013), "Linking Smallholder Producers to Modern Agri-Food Markets: Case Studies from South and South-East Asia", Allied Publishers, New Delhi.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul (2012), "Accelerating Agricultural Development for Inclusive Growth: Strategic Issues and Policy Options", Vikalapa: The Journal of Decision Makers, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 1-17.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul (2012), "Agricultural Development under the New economic Regime: Policy Perspective and Strategy for the 12th Five Year Plan", Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 46-78.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul and Hrima Thaker (2011), "Demand for Fertilizers in India: Determinants and Outlook for 2020", Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 66, No. 4, Oct.-Dec., pp. 638-661.
• Desai, Bhupat M., Errol D'Souza, John W. Mellor, Vijay Paul Sharma, and Prabhakar Tamboli (2011), "Agricultural Policy Strategy, Instruments, and Implementation: A Review and Road Ahead", Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. XLVI, No 53, December 31, 2011, pp. 42-50.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul and Hrima Thaker (2010), "Fertiliser Subsidy in India: Who are the Beneficiaries?", Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. VLV, No. 12, March 20, 2010, pp. 68-76.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul and Hrima Thaker (2011), "Economic Policy Reforms and Indian Fertilizer Industry", Allied Publishers, New Delhi. Sharma, Vijay Paul (2008), "India's Agrarian Crisis and Corporate-Led Contract Farming: Socio-economic Implications for Smallholder Producers", International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, Vol. 11, No. 4, Nov. 2008, pp. 25-48.
• Jharwal, S.M., R S Deshpande, Vijay Paul Sharma, RPS Mailk, Brajesh Jha and S A Ansari (2008), "Glimpses of Indian Agriculture: Macro- and Micro Aspects", Academic Foundation, New Delhi.
• Delgado, Christopher L., ............ Vijay Paul Sharma, et. al. (2008), "Determinants and Implications of Growing Scale of Livestock Farms in Four fast-Growing Countries", Research Report 157, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, D.C. 
• Sharma, Vijay Paul, Saradendu Patnaik and Hiren Tilala (2007), "Edible Oils and Oilseeds Economy of India", Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul and Pritee Sharma (2002), "Trade Liberalization and Indian Dairy Industry" Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul, Christopher L. Delgado, Steve Staal and Raj Vir Singh (2003), "Policy, Technical, and Environmental Determinants and Implications of the Scaling Up of Milk Production in India", IIMA-IFPRI Collaborative Project Report submitted to Livestock Environment and Development (LEAD) initiative, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome.
• Sharma, Vijay Paul (2004), "Livestock Economy of India: Current Status, Emerging Issues and Long Term Prospects", Keynote Paper, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 59, No. 3, July-September 2004. 
• Sharma, Vijay Paul (2004), "International Trade in Dairy Products: Current Status and Emerging Issues", Keynote Address at the 33rd Dairy Industry Conference, Organized by the Indian Dairy Association, New Delhi, September 26-28, 2004. 
• Sharma, Vijay Paul (2004), "WTO and Smallholder Welfare: Implications for Dairy and Meat Producers in Asia", in Vinod Ahuja (Ed.) "Livestock and Livelihoods: Challenges and Opportunities for Asia in the Emerging Market Environment", National Dairy Development Board, Anand and Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Facility (South Asia Hub), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, pp. 165-82. 
• Chawla, N.K., MPG Kurup and Vijay Paul Sharma (2004), "State of the Indian Farmer (Animal Husbandry): A Millennium Study" New Delhi: Academic Foundation and Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi.

Consulting

Awards & Honors

Thoughts