Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Farmers should fight for justice but in an ethical manner' that was published in Newsband

Farmers should fight for justice but in an ethical manner

Since June 1, many farmers are on 10-day ‘strike’ to draw the government’s attention to distress in the fields. A federation of 130 farmer bodies has decided to stop cooperating. They are holding a dharna on 30 national highways, without blocking vehicular passage. Prices of vegetables and fruits are inching up in urban centres. Mumbai fishermen have joined the cause. This stir will end with a Bharat Bandh call on June 10.

On June 6, 2017, some farmers were killed in police firing in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. There have been agitations across the country since then. The current stir also derives from lack of tangible action on assurances made earlier and imperceptible movement on the Centre’s grand promises such as doubling farm incomes and raising MSPs. For your information, the general elections are just a year away.

To seek pardoning of loan every time at the expense of taxpayer's money has become a norm by the Indian farmers, obviously fueled by political opportunist. Distress situations in the Indian farmland is not new and its root goes back to the British era. To double the farmers income by 2022 is one of the key objective of the Government but to want everything immediately be stopping the supply of necessary item is not appreciated. If price increase and inflation occurs, we blame government. If price do not increase and farmers suffer, again blame the government. In both scenario, we miss the role of middleman, who most likely benefit in all cases and offering meagre amounts to farmers in both cases. In many instances, I feel that these middle man instigate farmers to carry such activities, obviously motivated by their vested interest and of their political pundits.

These middle men add little or no value to the food supply chain and eat away farmer profits. Perhaps, these middle men are like the mafia, hence neither the farmers can around them nor does the government try to reign them in. These farmers would make huge profits even if they sell their produce directly even at half the urban market price.

Whatever be the problem, the agitation methods adopted by the farmers is both anti-social and criminal. To drain milk meant for children and the sick besides the others is unpardonable.

Even if it is accepted that small & medium scale farmers have grievances and that those should be addressed on a priority basis, why should urban population become a victim of farmers’ fight with the government? Hence, farmers have to learn not to depend on politicians who are more interested in using famers’ plight to make more money for them. If farmers wish to make farming profitable, they should be ready to stand on their own legs, without too much of government help. In fact farmers have to help themselves by having their own organisation which should provide them technical advice, farming tips, market information and marketing support whenever needed. Most importantly our farmers should be allowed able to sell their produce in a market place of their choice without interference of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees, which are controlled by politicians, and whose business practices are not transparent. Then no agitations will be required.

The problems of farmers for about an year originated from the union finance ministry circulars & is continuing with traditional provisions of wholesale trade. Almost all bank accounts including those of Cooperative banks are linked to Aadhar/PAN or other IDs. The government is in a position to trace money transactions. But government has introduced ban on making cash payment of ₹ two lakh or more. This is the root cause affecting trading in foam produce. Second issue is that government should simplify provisions of wholesale trade and invite new application for wholesale trade licences.

Government must look into the aggrieved voices of the peasant community which is not given key priority. Agriculture must be revived and prevent farmers leaving agriculture and seek urban jobs. Minimum Support Prices must be hiked on all vital crops and cluster farming must be created for small and marginal farmers. Effective irrigation agriculture must be created with all government support during monsoon failure. Agriculture deserves a more competent minister.