Let Both Sides Show Their Sagacity

The massive protest movement by farmers against  the new farm laws of the Central Government is happening at a time when they are supposed to be in the fields for post harvesting works. The Government which initially appeared too adamant had displayed flexibility and agreed to amend the laws to safeguard MSP and APMC and Mandi system. But the farmers apprehend that the new farm laws will weaken the MSP and the APMC structures and throw them at the mercy of private players. The adamant stance of both sides has vitiated the agro-atmosphere of the country.

Though agriculture is a State subject, the States were not consulted in formulating the law. Agro scientists available in 70 agro universities spread over the country could have been associated in framing the farm laws that concern 70 per cent of India’s population. So also, before enacting the laws the Centre could have consulted the farmer bodies.

There is apprehension among the farmers, particularly among those with small holdings about their easily becoming vulnerable to various market pressures and about the possibility of the corporate houses exploiting them under pre fixed pricing term in contract farming, depriving them of higher price in post harvest situations under the present criteria of contract farming. 

The private players in mining and coal sectors are regulated. Then why not in agri-sector touching 70 per cent of population? The new farm laws facilitate marketing without any licence and anyone with a PAN card can act as a trader to purchase agro produces directly from the farmers which in reality may give rise to multiplication of middlemen between the corporate sector and the farm gate. If there are middlemen in APMC structure there would be more middlemen of invisible nature under corporatization and  it would be difficult to rein in them.

There is also the possibility of APMCs becoming virtually irrelevant and losing their existence when corporates dominate the scene.  

The Centre would have done well by strengthening available infrastructure by bringing further improvements like transportation and cold chain for safe preservation of such agro produce and corporate houses, private investors and private players could be engaged to build such cold chains and food value chains in suitable areas, since farmers cannot create such provisions due to lack of technical expertise, fear of maintenance cost and poor return.

The movement of the farmers has given another opportunity to review the need of making a comprehensive agro policy to bring more area under cultivation, by making easy availability of modern equipment, water, power, banking finance, fertilizer, seed, fuel etc as 50 per cent of land in India is still dependable on monsoon and the cost of inputs is beyond the reach of small farmers.

Agriculture has every potential to increase country’s GDP and generate employment. Hope both the government and the striking farmers will show their sagacity to resolve the ongoing problem in the greater interest of public.