The International Monetary Fund believes the farm bills passed by the Indian government are “a significant step forward for agricultural reforms,” Gerry Rice, Director of Communications at IMF, told a news conference in Washington on Jan. 14. “We believe the farm bills do have the potential to represent a significant step forward for agricultural reforms in India. … The measures will enable farmers to directly contract with sellers, allow farmers to retain a greater share of the surplus by reducing the role of middlemen, enhance efficiency and support rural growth. … However, it is crucial that the social safety net adequately protects those who might be adversely impacted during the transition to this new system.”