Farmers' Protest
Summary Table:
Genuine concerns | Unrealistic demands |
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Demand 'justice' for victims of Lakhimpur Kheri violence:
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Legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
Pros:-
Why Unrealistic?
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Compensation for families of deceased farmers from previous protests:
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Withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation.
Why Unrealistic?
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Implementation of MS Swaminathan committee recommendations.
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Repeal Electricity amendment bill 2020
Why Unrealistic?
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Withdrawal of cases from farmers participated in the protest.
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Farmers demand a waiver on repayment of agricultural loans.
Why Unrealistic?
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Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act 2013
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Lack of clarity in demand due to multiple demands by multiple Farmer associations.Ex Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) etc.
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Enforce stringent penalties on companies involved in the production of counterfeit seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers.
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Monthly income to farmers and agricultural Laborers(rupees 10000/month).
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![farm loan waivers](https://www.nextias.com/resources/images/farm-loan-waivers-1722680802007.png)
Present Farmer protest
- The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced that more than 200 farm unions would head to Delhi on February 13 to press the Centre to accept several demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Why Punjab is center of farmer of protest:
- Farm protests have been loudest in states such as Punjab and Haryana, states where the procurement system and MSP mechanism is strong.
- A 2016 NITI Aayog report states that 100% of farmers in Punjab sell their crops at MSP.
- According to the government, the number of farmers selling paddy crops on MSP in the Kharif season increased by 70% in 2019 compared to 2015. Similarly, the number of farmers taking advantage of MSP on wheat during the Rabi season also increased by 112% in 2020 compared to 2016.
- A central government committee report states that only 6% of the country's farmers take advantage of MSP
- The biggest problem Punjab agriculture faces today is desertification. Plunging water tables are turning fertile land into desert.
- According to a Punjab government report published in 2018, groundwater in about 79% of the state‘s area is over-exploited, and groundwater resources are likely to be used up completely by 2039, following which only annual replenishable resources will be available for consumption.
Punjab crisis both reason and consequence of farmer protest:
- Punjab which was once a beacon of prosperity and agricultural abundance, now stands on the precipice of economic collapse.
- It is now haunted by the specter of recurring protests that have wreaked havoc on its development and stability.
- The aftermath of the farmers' agitation of 2020-21 continues to cast a long shadow over the state, with various organizations claiming to champion farmers' welfare emerging as opportunistic actors, exaggerating the plight of the very community they purport to serve.
- The economic landscape of Punjab, once characterized by robust growth and prosperity, now bears the scars of prolonged unrest.
- The state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) languishes below the national average, with double-digit growth remaining an elusive dream for the past five years.
- Persistent revenue deficits, averaging around 70% and reaching alarming levels in recent years, have forced Punjab into a cycle of debt dependency, jeopardizing its fiscal health.
- As Punjab struggles to recover from the protracted protests of the past three years, another wave of demonstrations looms on the horizon.
Way forward:
To placate protesters, the government might agree to provide them a bonus over and above the minimum support price for 2024. It has fixed this year's minimum support price for wheat at ₹2,275/100 kg, 7% higher than in 2023.
Dialogue and Negotiation: |
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Repeal or Amendment of Farm Laws: |
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Guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP): |
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Debt Relief and Financial Support: |
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Investment in Agriculture and Rural Development: |
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Environmental Sustainability: |
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Access to Credit and Social Security: |
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Empowerment of Farmers: |
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Awareness and Education: |
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Long-Term Policy Planning: |
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Case Study:
The incident is with respect to "Cancer Train" in Punjab, India. This train gained importance due to the high incidence of cancer among its passengers. Many of these are believed to be agricultural workers exposed to pesticides and other chemicals. The train, officially known as the Bhatinda-Delhi passenger train, gained its nickname because it carries a significant number of cancer patients traveling to Delhi for treatment.
The region of Punjab has faced various environmental and health challenges, including groundwater contamination and high levels of pesticide use in agriculture, which have been linked to increased cancer rates among the population. The "Cancer Train" highlights the urgent need for environmental and health interventions in the region to address these issues and provide support for affected communities.
India‟s Agriculture sector:
- Agriculture is the main source of income and employment for more than 50% of the Indian population directly.
- To Enhance the Growth and Stability of The Economy: Agriculture contributes around 17- 18% to the GDP of India.
- Agriculture, along with its allied sectors, is the largest source of livelihoods in India.
- An estimated 70% of its rural households still depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood.
Trends of India Agriculture Sector:
- In 2017-18, total food grain production was estimated at 275 million tonnes (MT).
- India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
- India‘s annual milk production was 165 MT (2017-18) thus making India the largest producer of milk, jute and pulses, and with the world‘s second-largest cattle population 190 million in 2012.
- India is the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton and groundnuts, as well as the second-largest fruit and vegetable producer, accounting for 10.9% and 8.6% of the world‘s fruit and vegetable production, respectively.
- The Indian agricultural and allied sector accounted for about 17.5 % of India‘s GVA, and it ensured food security for the 1.3 billion population of India.
- Many agro-based industries such as textile, leather, sugar, tea, etc., are dependent on the agricultural sector.
- Agribusiness in India is contributing greatly to the national income of India.
- Therefore, it is said that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy.
- Agricultural exports constitute around a fifth of the total exports of the country.
Challenges of India's Agriculture Sector:
Challenges | About |
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Food inflation: |
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Crop productivity: |
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Conventional method of cultivation: |
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Environmental hazards: |
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Overutilization of fertilizers: |
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Irrigation: |
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Agricultural marketing: |
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Manures, Fertilizers and Biocides: |
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About Farmer Protest
- Farmers Protest 2.0 is in motion, this time called ‗Delhi Chalo‘. Nearly after two years, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with over 200 unions heading, are marching towards Delhi today after inconclusive talks with Union ministers on Monday.
- Samyukt Kisan Morcha urges farmer organizations to participate in the Gramin Bharat Bandh on February 16, demanding pensions, MSP for crops, and withdrawal of labor law amendments.
History of Farmer protest in the country:
Farmers in Colonial Era:
- India was a largely agrarian society when the Britishers occupied the country.
- Agriculture was not conducted without its problems, but it was sufficient for the sustainability and livelihood of farmers.
- Most estimates report that around 85% of the population earned their livelihood from agriculture and related sectors during the colonial period.
- However, the Britishers wanted to maximize their own profits at the expense of farmers and peasants.
During the colonial era, farmers had to go through problems like:
- The exploitation of agricultural laborers:
- Zamindars and landlords exploited poor farmers to the point that many even worked as bonded laborers on farms.
- Unfavorable policies:
- The colonial rulers carefully devised policies that benefited those who were already privileged.
- They were meant to protect and benefit moneylenders and landlords.
- High taxes:
- Tax rates during the colonial era were one of the highest in the world.
- Even if the farmers‘ crops failed, they were not exempted from paying taxes.
- Zamindari system:
- It was a major impediment to farmers‘ economic conditions and growth.
- It was prevalent mostly in the Bengal presidency.
Farmer movements in India before the 1900s:
Farmer movements in the country before the 1900s were unorganized and staggered.
Indigo Revolt:
- Britishers forced farmers to grow indigo instead of food crops to maximize profits.
- The government in 1860 formed the Indigo commission that ruled that it was illegal to force cultivators to grow indigo.
Deccan Riots of 1875
- They were held to protest against the high money demand of Marwadi and Gujarati moneylenders.
Farmer movements in India after the 1900s
Champaran Satyagraha (1917):
- In Bihar‘s Champaran, farmers were forced to grow indigo on at least 3/20th of their farmland, for which they received minimal income.
Kheda Satyagraha (1919):
- In Gujarat‘s Kheda, farmers‘ harvest failed due to drought-like conditions.
- However, even then they were forced to pay taxes.
Bardoli Movement (1928):
- Even after a crop failure, the British government refused to omit tax collections and even hiked the land revenue by 30%.
FARMERS‟ MOVEMENT POST INDEPENDENCE:
- Peasant movements led by Marxist and Socialists- such as
- Telangana Movement (1946-51),
- Tebhaga movement (1946-1949),
- Kagodu Satyagraha (1951),
- Naxalbari Movement (1967) and
- Lalgarh movement (2009).
Some of the most important struggles that were carried till the beginning of 1980s were:
- Anti-Single Food Zone,1972
- Struggle against Power Tariff, 1975
- Struggle against increasing water rates and increasing commercial tax, 1975
- Agitation against defective tractors 1977
- Diesel morcha, 1979 .
The 1980s saw the beginning of what is called the New Farmers‟ Movement in different parts of India. The reasons were:
- terms of trade going against agriculture,
- declining purchasing power,
- un-remunerative prices,
- agriculture becoming a losing proposition,
It all began in Maharashtra when Shetkari Sanghatana under Sharad Joshi, a former employee of UN turned farmer, began agitating in a village called Chakan in Pune for remunerative prices for agricultural commodities, particularly for onion.
How to distinguish “peasants from farmers”?
- Is peasant a suitable analytical category in the post-independence period?
- In fact, the concept of ―peasant‖ is now increasingly being replaced by ―farmers‖ for the simple reason that the development paradigm initiated during the post-independence period has created a new category called ‗Market Oriented‘ farmers.
- The peasant is simply defined as a social category, who lives at subsistence level and desists from market competition.
- On the contrary, the farmer is involved in market competition and tries to be autonomous while dealing with production, distribution and cropping pattern issues.
- In Fact the introduction of the green revolution, new technology, government subsidies etc has created such a category in the recent past.
- These categories are also called “rich farmers”. The struggle that these farmers resorted to in recent years has been conceptualized as „New Farmers‟ Movement‟.
- The latter movement comes closer to the Gandhian movement of yesteryears.
- Some organizations in the New Farmers‘ Movement such as the one in Karnataka vouched for Gandhism openly.
- Others such as Shetkari Sanghatana of Maharashtra did not accept or adhere to Gandhism in total.
Phrases of Current Farmer protest:
Farmer protest 2020:
Spark for protest:- In the monsoon session of parliament of 2020, the government passed three acts with the intention of bringing reforms in Agriculture.
- However, farmer groups have not received them well and have asked for the repeal of the acts.
- Despite government assurances to bring about amendments for removal of any provisions affecting the livelihood of farmers, the farmers have been unwavering in their demand for the absolute repeal of the acts.
Bills | Features | Concerns raised by Farmers |
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The Farmers‟ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bills, 2020: |
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The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020: |
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The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020: |
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Nihang Sikh Conflict during 2020 protests:
- A day after a 35-year-old man was brutally lynched and strung up at the farmers‘ protest site at Singhu border
Laws repealed in November 2021
- On 19 November 2021, after nearly a year of mass protests against the laws, the Hon'ble Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made a surprise announcement that his Government would repeal the farm laws.
Do farmers have other demands?
- They also want the government to honor a promise to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.
- In 2016, the government pledged to step up investment in rural development, aiming to double farmer incomes by 2022.
- Farmers also insist that the government ensure at a least 50% profit over their overall cost of production.
- They have further asked the government to take action against a Union Minister whose son was arrested during the 2021 protest on accusations he ran over and killed four protesting farmers.
Consequences of the farmers protest:
- Disruption of supply chains:
- As Delhi is landlocked between Haryana and UP , and dependent on its supply from other states.
- Reduced Diesel and gas supply to Punjab.
- Inconvenience to the masses:
- It led to disruption of working hours of people in NCR.
- With board exams nearby , such protests affected the school going children as well.
- Impact on essential services:
- As witnessed recently Supreme Court lawyers were not able to attend hearings due to traffic etc .
- It also led to wrenching of medical services as well.
- Economy of Protesting sites:
- Protests have led to disruption of livelihood of the people in protesting sites due to closure of shops , local haats and vendors.
- Infrastructure loss:
- Protests have led to the great loss of public infrastructure and are a burden on public exchequer.
Tractor trolley turned into living room for protest:
- Sunil Gulia from Haryana spent Rs 40 lakhs on the modification of his tractor-trolley into a home. He added big tires, swanky seats and a powerful sound system. According to him, his trolley house embodied the concept of baap aur beta (father and son) since it was the foundational ground for the continuity of the protest, both symbolically and technically.
- Two conjoined trolleys enabled Jalandhar-based Harpreet Singh Mattu to create a home that had a living room complete with fairy lights, mirrors, television and cosmetics, a bedroom, a toilet and a kitchen. Precise attention was paid to details, structure and construction. The walls of this trolley house had square windows with curtains, tube lights, an air conditioner and plastered flooring – a careful mix of techno-aesthetic elements, taking their cue from the flats in gated societies.
![tractor trolley](https://www.nextias.com/resources/images/tractor-trolley-turned-into-living-room-for-protest-1725269509530.jpg)
What impact will the protests have on the Indian elections?
- Farmers comprise two-thirds of India‟s 1.4 billion people, accounting for nearly a fifth of the country‘s gross domestic product, according to government figures. Hence, farmers form an influential voting bloc, and parties try to gain their support.
Government response:
- The government‘s reaction to the current protest still seems reactionary, as the borders are being heavily barricaded and Section 144 is in effect at the Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri borders. Internet services have been blocked in several regions of Punjab and Haryana, and Rajasthan has sealed its borders with Punjab and Haryana along with the imposition of prohibitory orders in several districts.
- The protest site has witnessed the use of tear gas, drones dropping smoke bombs, stonepelting, traffic snarls, seizure of vehicles and detention of farmers by the Haryana Police — ignoring lessons from last time that the excessive use of force might provide legitimacy to those who want to radicalize the protest.
![protest site](https://www.nextias.com/resources/images/protest-site -1725269562900.jpg)
![fencing wire](https://www.nextias.com/resources/images/fencing-wire-1725269598964.jpg)
Farmers protest elsewhere outside India:
- The farmer protests coincide with similar demonstrations by their counterparts in Europe, but, other than rising costs of cultivation, the concerns raised by European and Indian farmers are different.
- While Europe's farmers are protesting the European Union's drive to fight climate change, among other issues, Indian growers are more focused on state-set assured prices for their crops.
Some Previous Year Prelims Questions
Q1.Consider the following statements: (2020)
1. In the case of all cereals, pulses, and oil seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
2. In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q2. With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following sentences:(2020)
1. Black gram (Urad) can be cultivated as both Kharif and rabi crop.
2. Green gram (Moong) alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to chemical fertilizers in India, consider the following statements :(2020)
1. At present, the retail price of chemical fertilizers is market-driven and not administered by the Government.
2. Ammonia, which is an input of urea, is produced from natural gas
3. Sulphur, which is a raw material for phosphoric acid fertilizer, is a by-product of oil refineries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q4. In the context of India‘s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:(2021)
1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR‘s research centers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 Only
(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 1 and 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q5. Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?(2021)
(a) Sugarcane
(b) Sunflower
(c) Pearl Millet
(d) Red gram
Q6. Consider the following statements: (2023)
Statement 1: The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
Statement 2: Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
Statement 3: Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Some Previous Year Mains Questions:
Q1. How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (2023)
Q2. Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions. (2023)
Q3. What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to the farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization(WTP) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (2023)
Q4. Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. (2022)
Q5. What is an Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India?
Q6. What are the main bottlenecks in the upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India? (2022)
Q7. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (2021)
Q8. How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India‘s water crisis? (Answer in 150 words) (2021)
Q9. How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers? (2021)
Some Previous year Interview questions:
Board BB Swain Sir : (2023)
- Tell us three constitutional amendments that we need?
- On legal front?
- Should MSP be legalized?
- What are the issues?
- Why should it not be legalized?
- Why are farmers protesting?
Board BB Swain Sir: (2023)
- WHY PRODUCTIVITY IN AGRI LOW?
- HOW TO RAISE ?
- FARMER SUICIDE REASONS AND SOLUTION?
- WTO ISSUES IN AGRICULTURE?
Board Suman Sharma ma‟am: (2023)
- Farmer Suicide in Maharashtra and Solution?
- How can AI be used in agriculture?
- What is your stance on MSP as an economist?
- However, we are announcing it every season. What can be done?
- Few years back there were farmers' protests in Punjab. What was it for?
- Which all were the farm laws?
- What is contract farming?
Board Suman Sharma ma‟am: (2023)
- If you were the DM of a district, what would you do to improve farmers‘ situation?
- Follow up on which larger scheme is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund part of?
Board BB Swain Sir: (2023)
- How to solve the food crisis?
- Give Issues of agriculture?
- How to solve the debt crisis of agri?
- As a DM how u will solve issues of farmers?
- Food processing--why is the processing industry not gaining ground in india?
Board Dinesh Dasa Sir: (2023)
- China's agriculture reforms?
Board BB Swain Sir: (2023)
- There are a lot of things that have been done to develop agriculture, still we are importing pulses, oilseeds. What can be done?
- After implementing many schemes why farmers are still poor? As a public Administrator what will you do to ensure delivery of schemes?
- Do you think it‘ll shift our focus from primary sector to tertiary?
- Comment on foreign policy?
- How to revive the agricultural economy?
Board Suman Sharma ma‟am: (2022)
- Where do you want to apply artificial intelligence ?( said AI to previous answer)
- How can it be used in agriculture? ( As I said agriculture to previous answer)
- What is your stance on MSP as an economist?
- However, we are announcing it every season. What can be done?
- Few years back there were farmers' protests in Punjab. What was it for?
- Which all were the farm laws?
- What is contract farming?
Board RN Chowbey Sir: (2022)
- There are various issues related to monocropping, why are farmers not moving away from wheat & rice ?
- What can be done in this regard ?
- What can be done to increase the yield of other crops ?
- Tell me what the government is doing to double the farmer income ?
Board RN Chowbey Sir: (2022)
- PM Modi has announced doubling of farmers‘ income? What has been the agricultural growth rate of India in the past few years?
- How can we increase farmers‘ income?
Board Priti Sudan ma‟am: (2022)
- What is your opinion on 3 farm bills that were withdrawn by the government?
- Was the farmers protest driven by the wealthy farmers' leaders or the small farmers also?
- What is the current status of demand by farmers to bring some changes in MSP?
- Are farmers going to protest in the future for the same?