Almost 31 farm organisations are collectively fighting against the recent Farm bill which was proposed and passed by the central government. They also call for “Punjab Bandh” and it was claimed by other states too. What is the farm bill holds? What are the changes that they are reluctant to?
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, An MP of Shiromani akali Dal (one of the oldest ally of BJP) has resigned from the Narendra Modi Cabinet. What exactly was that farm bill?
- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill
- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill
What are these Farm Bills are expecting to Change in the agricultural sector?
- Earlier the farmers used to sell their products in Mandis (regulated by Government) Now the bill seeks to bring private players in between.
- Provide a managed legal framework for the farmers. So, they can operate and collaborate freely with private businesses.
- Allow agricultural businesses to stock their products.
Considering these effective farm Bills what are those concerned voices of farmers?
- The lack of bargaining power with big companies!
- The farmers think that the concept of MSP will vanish.
- The relevance of Mandis will be hampered
- The middleman will be adversely affected.
This farm bill has definitely affected a section of society which includes almost 137 crore people. The change which might bring change over a period of time tense the farmers when they give a thought about today! The analysis says that if this farm bill succeeded; India not only feed them well but they might become the largest food exporter. When asked Mr Siraj Choudhary Managing director and CEO of Agricultural services company National Collateral Management services limited; He said- “We need private sector investment in technology and infrastructure for Indian agriculture to realise its full potential and compete better in the global marketplace”. The country is already the world’s largest producer of milk and second-largest grower of wheat, rice and other vegetables.
If India can raise its products according to global norms, the country has the potential to become “An Important link in Global Food supply chains” NITI Ayog’s Kant wrote in an article. The new reforms have the potential to become the food powerhouse in the long run. But the current concerns regarding the demolishing of Mandi system which is an important element of farmers and the fear of not having any MSP system should be addressed and solved by the government in order to run a free and flow market which includes a larger section of society.
