The Chinese model of rural business hubs that Dr Manmohan Singh recommended for adoption to the Chief Ministers on Tuesday can be followed in states like Punjab and Haryana provided an environment for the growth of agriculture-industry linkages is created. Agriculture productivity is declining in the absence of industrial support for value addition. A huge quantity of fruits and vegetables go waste for want of processing and export facilities. Lack of assured irrigation, power supply, roads and a marketing network also contribute to the declining returns from agriculture. If the state governments, backed with Central funds, facilitate cooperation among farmers, traders and corporates, while assuring them dependable infrastructure and removing red-tape, rural business hubs can flourish. But that is a big IF...editorial.