Farmers Movement Archive

Not impacted by new laws, Maharashtra farmers stare at losses

NAGPUR: As farmers in Punjab and Haryana are on a warpath against the central government, the peasants of Maharashtra — the state known for agrarian crisis — remains indifferent. Activists say even as this is one of the worst years for the farmers here, the dynamics in Maharashtra are different as compared to the northern states, due to which the new farm laws may not have an immediate impact. The rates of cotton and soybean, the main crops of the region, have improved but farmers have suffered losses in both, say activists. The farmers in Punjab and Haryana mainly cultivate wheat and paddy for which they depend on the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for procurement at MSP. They fear that dilution of the MSP under new laws will hamper their interests. Farmers in the state, including Vidarbha, since long have been exposed to the private traders. MSP intervention has happened only as and when needed, said observers. The state government has deferred the implementation of the three agriculture laws that allow sale of farm produce out of the APMC and contract farming apart from removing commodities like cereals, pulses, onions and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. Buying at MSP has also begun by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in Vidarbha and cotton growing parts. Rates of soybean too are above the MSP. Despite everything, it’s a tough year for the farmers, say activists. “Rates of cotton and soybean have improved only because of a low output. Soybean produce has gone below half of the last year’s average, so is with cotton,” said Shetkari Sangathana veteran Vijay Jawandhia. Former MP Raju Shetti said protests were held in every district this month. “The new farm laws may not have an immediate impact on the farmers here but will certainly affect in the long run,” he said.

The Times of India

2020-11-30

India