Farmers Movement Archive

‘Farm laws do not reform agriculture, but cater to corporate interests’

Dr Sukhpal Singh | principal economist (agricultural marketing) and former head, economics and sociology department, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) The new agri-reforms propose a ‘two-market system’, but these might be the foundation of ‘one nation one market’. It would lead to the end of the prevailing regulated market system (APMC), which will have grave consequences for the already meagre farm income and the state revenue. The economic settings of the farmers and funding for developing marketing yards, rural link road network system and various other rural developmental activities are a few ramifications. These reforms will also distort the federal structure of the country. To counter these, many states like Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have either modified or repealed these acts. The hidden agenda is to create a surplus pool of workers to be shifted to urban areas as cheap labour, and take control of the farm sector of agriculturally developed economies. Instead of increasing the efficiency of the existing marketing system, the government acted otherwise. The objective here was not reforming agriculture, but catering to corporate interests. Thus, despite the fact that all the farmers and farmworkers have been opposing these acts, the central government is not ready to budge much. The need of the hour is to save the vulnerable peasantry, which is indebted, depeasantised and is committing suicides. In such a situation, there is a need to evolve our own indigenous model based on our resources, skill, culture and requirements for the country. Dr M S Sidhu | former professor of agri- economics at PAU Procurement of wheat and paddy under MSP had proved to be beneficial for farmers, government, consumers and the processing industry for the last more than 30 years. This should continue. It is assumed that godowns are filled with grains, but in emergency situations like droughts, all the stock will be consumed. The public procurement should continue as food security of a country is very important and cannot be given to private companies. Small and contract farmers will be the most affected and they will be ignored. Kamaldeep Sangha | principal entomologist, forestry and natural resources department, PAU The farm laws will be the death knell for the marginal and small farmers. These farmers constitute 86% of the farmers in India. They can neither take their produce to other state markets for selling nor has the ability to store his produce or hold it for selling at later date at a higher price. They cannot compete with corporate houses. The dismantling of APMC mandis is likely to reduce the income of state government as well, which is used for building infrastructure. The Essential Commodities Act will aid hoarding and give impetus to price manipulation by traders. This would also lead to higher prices for consumers. The amendments suggested by the central government are merely cosmetic and do not address the fundamental flaws in the acts. Dr Sita Saini | Professor of computer science and engineering, Gulzar Group of Institutes, Khanna Not only Punjab or India, but the whole world is supporting farmers’protest against the three farm acts passed by the government. As agriculture is the largest source of livelihood in India, as an academician I also support this protest strongly. We are in touch with a few farmers who are at Delhi for the protest. We, few teachers together, are sending them medicines and ration as per their needs. The government should consider the demand of farmers and give serious thought to these acts on highest priority. Kapil Arora, President | Council of Engineers, Punjab Those who are in favour of these agricultural reforms should first compare the financial condition of farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where mandi system has been abolished, with farmers from Punjab and Haryana. One should also compare the amount being paid to farmers for non-essential commodities vis a vis value of such produces sold to consumers. The crops that are under controlled by the central government, i.e. listed under essential commodities, the farmers as well as consumers (citizens) are satisfied. So, I strongly stand with farmers and all three agricultural reform bills should be repealed by the government.

The Times of India

2020-12-12

Chandigarh