ARE THE ENRAGED FARMERS A SIGN FOR A BETTER FUTURE ?

                   Farmers quitting their fields,  raising their voice , protesting for fundamental privileges braving tear gas and water cannons were the sketches of present India that awaited for me ,who completed writing a constitution day article with a great sense of pride  . Thousands of farmers from Haryana, Punjab etc aligned for the DELHI CHALO march against the " so called farmer friendly policies ".But why the farmers are resisting such progressive bills, Is there any disconnection with the intended welfare and formulated bill,  why the ones arguing  to and fro the bill is confined within the political matters and why their voice are not being addressed. These may be the questions arising in every minds but suppressed with the fear of  sedition .  * FARMERS PRODUCE TRADE AND COMMERCE (PROMOTION AND FACILITATION BILL) 2020, *FARMERS (EMPOWERMENT AND PROTECTION) AGREEMENT OF PRICE ASSURANCE AND FARM SERVICES BILL 2020 

 *ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ( AMENDMENT BILL) 

                     These 3 are the controversial bills under concern. PM Modi continue to affirm "These laws are opening new doors of oppurtunities to the farmers " ,   but the concerns of farmers are ceaseless. 

   

WHAT ARE THE NEW PROVISIONS IN THE BILL? 

                 This bills create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders can sell their produce outside the registered mandis or APMC 's. It helps in barrier free  interstate and intrastate  trade where they could gain better prices. Also this may foster technological advancement and electronic trading. According yo the provision for contract farming, the farmers are able to contract with agri business firms,  processors, wholesalers,exporters,large retailers etc for sale of future farming produce at the  pre - agreed price. This will become a notorious boon because it tansfer the risk of unpredictability from farmers to sponsers. Farmers can engage in direct marketing by eliminating intermediaries thus further boosting farmers income.It is the marginal and small scale farmers constituting 86 % having less than 5 hectares going to gain via contract. 

The removal of cereals , pulses, onion, oilseeds and potatoes from the list of essential commodities act is another superior move. This relaxes control on stock holdings and price ceiling. It will attract foreign direct investments and private sectors because of less governmental interference .These FDI energises the infrastucture and modernize farming techniques  and supply chain. This competitive market environment will be beneficial for both producers and consumers . 

                  With these longlisted objectives one may doubt that these protests are politically triggered. But it is necessary to look upon the limitations too.  

              

The primary fear is that this may end the MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE, which is crucial for them. Even the state will suffer the loss because they loose the mandi fees. E-NAM, national agriculture market, the online trading platform also uses mandi structure. The increased private role will create an unexpected result because the farmers power (to determine the price)  will be eventually  hurted . These bills may accelerate the transformation  of rich to the richest and poor to the poorest.  Even the amendment in essential commodities act is going to help the companies in black marketing and such unlawful activities  .Can we doubt that the incompetent farming methods are responsible this negative response or are the farmers made a weapon foe political gain.  

                 For a country like India with agrarian economy it is not advisable to go on with policies which may hurt the farmers trust .  The face of the farmer can be regarded as the state of a country.  

                        

                          Sandra Sara Binoy