Two contrasting viewpoints may be taken regarding recent agricultural trends in India. The first is positive; it highlights the large stock of foodgrains now established, the expansion of the irrigable areas and the relative price stability of basic foods. The second is more pessimistic; it notes the lack of any improvement in foodgrain consumption per capita, the large investment costs required per unit of incremental output in the new irrigation schemes, the increase in the number of rural poor, the extent of the unemployment problem and the decline in availability and consumption of high protein foods. A less controversial aspect of the agricultural scene is provided by the progress of the national dairy development programme, which is now attracting considerable international support. This note highlights some features of the dairy programme.