ADDRESSING FARM DISTRESS

A decline in agricultural productivity is expected to result in an overall reduction of food supplies reaching the market soon

- Dhurjati Mukherjee

It was good to hear Prime Minister Prime Minister Modi’s recent assertion that the interests of farmers are top priority. “India will never compromise with the interests of the farmers, livestock holders and fishermen. ‘And I know that I will have to personally pay a very heavy price for this, but I am ready,” he said. Agriculture sustains around 46% of Indian population and employs over 46% of workers but it generates less than a fifth of the GDP.

However, the Opposition was quick to scoff at the assertion and recall Modi government’s three farm laws wherein the peasants were subjected to police excesses and a smear campaign by the BJP and its ecosystem was evident. Over 750 farmers were reported to have died during the prolonged protest. The Prime Minister’s remark should be seen in the context of the tariff arm-twisting by the Trump administration, but it wasn’t clear how Modi would suffer heavy personal loss. Reports so far suggest the US demanding zero-duty access to the Indian market for all its agricultural and dairy products, which Delhi was firmly resisting.

An important development in the sector is the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming with an outlay of Rs 2481 crore at an early date aimed at promoting sustainable farming on 750,000 hectares and increasing the income of 10 million farmers. The Central government will be contributing Rs 1584 crore towards the scheme with states accounting for Rs 897 crore.