Fifty years ago, newly independent India was not particularly good at growing enough
food to feed itself. Later, with the aid of people like Norman Borlaug,
the productivity of Indian farm-lands improved. Another big factor,
however, was the government's increased role in procurement and
distribution by setting up the Food Corp of India (FCI) and Minimum Support
Prices (MSP) on staples like wheat and rice. I'm sure the MSP saved many a
poor farmer from loan sharks.
However, like many good things an excess of zeal in procurement can
be harmful.