Agricultural reform in India: farmers versus the state

Three new agricultural laws intended to modernise Indian national farm produce markets are angering farmers. We investigate why farmers so concerned and what if anything the mean for environmental footprint of farming in India. For past four months, thousands have been camping on outskirts New Delhi protest against three passed by government September. Each (The Farmers' Produce Trade Commerce Act 2020, Empowerment Protection Agreement Price Assurance Farm Services Essential Commodities 2020) deals with a different aspect marketing. Together, they designed create unified market connecting agri-food supply chain actors directly farmers, reducing reliance traditional intermediaries. A policy paper think tank, Niti Aayog, states “In nutshell, reforms undertaken central through acts keeping changing times requirements farming. If implemented right spirit, will take agriculture heights usher transformation rural economy.” While maintains that cure longstanding agrarian crisis, offering more choice grow who sell to, helping attract much-needed private investment into sector, critics say flouted parliamentary procedure passing bills hurriedly, minimal discussion, middle COVID-19 pandemic. Protesting demanding repeal laws, which erode role large, regulated wholesale depend their produce, make it easier big agribusinesses deal an unregulated space where hold power. Farmers fear minimum support price (MSP), guarantee set purchase selected crops from them, disappear – something denies. want legal MSP. “I seen dark side contract farming”, says Rajendra Singh Bhandal Bet village Punjab's Kapurthala district currently at Singhu border, one main sites outside Delhi. “A company came our district, offered very good first 2 years… payment was prompt. But third year, bought much less, rejected yield…in fourth did not anything. you encourage such practices, commission agents eventually fade away be trapped these agribusinesses. Contract does really expand choices when there is power asymmetry little bargaining power,” said Singh. “The ‘farmer-centric’. Rather, focused ‘ease doing business’ actors, premise deliver benefits This flawed premise”, economist Sudha Narayanan, Associate Professor Indira Gandhi Institute Development Research Fellow South Asia Regional Office International Food Policy Institute. She adds, “What do strengthen public open access platforms or commodity exchanges offer genuine Currently, no safeguards place ensure competition prevent collusion among buyers trade area.” move may also social costs R Ramakumar, Tata Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, points out that, globally, associated breaches contracts, increases labour displacement, casualisation labour, use low-paid women workers child propagation monoculture quick profits. “Any legislation should address concerns. The fail this regard”, he added. can sign agreements as party. Thus, breach contract, would pitted State too. Or, individual contracts towards group Farmer Producer Organisations cooperatives, improve design left state governments. present form, provide any protective cover farmers”, Ramakumar. triggered discussion around deepening challenges facing India's sector. Agriculture becoming susceptible fluctuations temperature, excessive untimely rains, floods, droughts, pests, diseases. In recent years, climate change has aggravated extreme weather events worsening water security. well-irrigated regions India Green Revolution 1960s massively increased yields now experiencing severe groundwater depletion. Rural Agrarian Report 2020 offers insights crisis. Government subsidies chemical fertilisers led overuse, affecting soil's capacity moisture. negatively impacted productivity crops. example, yield grain per kg Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) fertiliser declined 13·4 1970 3·7 hectare irrigated areas 2005. study showed between 2002 2008, states—Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan—together lost equivalent 109 km3 leading decline table extent 0·33 m year. model Punjab Haryana only detrimental environment but damaging health families”, Richa Kumar, Sociology Studies Technology, Delhi, co-author 2020. risky rice wheat adopted because input output guarantees (purchase MSP) given 70s. However, risks continued grow, contributed increasing costs. Unless assured MSP, going able survive longer run. technological treadmill running keep ahead pests diseases, declining soil fertility, falling levels rising costs, push them off”, she said. Aniket Aga, Environmental Ashoka University, since 1960s, systematically trained research extension system ignore agro-ecological principles nutrition, adopt chemicalised, water-intensive production routines name Revolution. “Seven decades since, makes sense blame things were asked do. Once immediate crisis food averted, proactively switch gears promote diversified, ecologically sound, socially just cultivation models? Why can't now?” dominance handful strains few large swathes country stagnating crop yields. Many protesting breadbasket states, continuously cultivated decades. environmentally unsustainable used case lacking protection economic uncertainty cultivate two “It like unaware needs lot grow. aware other less intensive. diversify? reason obvious MSP therefore Prime Minister talked about buying pulses Mozambique years ago. doesn't his farmers? Pulses need far water. happily diversify even intensive pulses, maize, millet”, Yudhvir Singh, secretary Bharatiya Kisan Union, farmer's group, Coordination Committee Movements (ICCFM). Another key criticism position stubble burning. Aga doubt status quo financially untenable labourers. “Stubble burning many symptoms unjust system. What we comprehensive policymaking help build sustainable, diverse, nutritious, That require greater rather than lesser intervention.” out. Kulbir farmer Rurka Kalan Jallandhar says, problem well. It ways, mixed soil. machines cost money. With prices up, how ask adds without support? don't people talking talk polluting industries get government?” Narayanan so. “There legitimate concerns agribusinesses, especially those historically agriculture, commitment consequences operations kind processes might promote.” Experts mitigation problems investments availability calibrating pricing rules governing natural resources. (farm) all agriculture. There nothing indicate ecological awareness guided drafting laws”, Aga. “Agribusinesses almost always sacrifice sustainability justice scale mass When certified organic escape trap, foolish imagine mantle mitigating conventional agriculture.” aspects today substantive reforms. Marketing reform steady progress decade. Other procurement urgent attention. appears arbitrary effort delinked needed.” 6 months after passed, hard current impasse pan Harbhajan 67-year-old Tarn Taran scoffs idea backing down. here over 100 days. I scared barbed wire men uniform. live near (India-Pakistan) border. fences shelling.” lack trust clear. meaningful dialogue way forward established stakeholders restored.