Farmers - Mislead or mistreated?

Being a large country with so many states and ethnicities, India is bound to have issues going on throughout the year and that too, in a year like 2020. But currently, among so many issues and states of disarray, the one that is of most concern is farmers’ protest.
Farmers, majorly from Punjab and Haryana approached Delhi to protest against the Farmers’ Bill(s), 2020. This protest took a fierce turn on 25th November, when they were charged with tear gas and water cannons by police. Within such chaos and conflict, lies a question; what can be the solution(s)?

Background - The farmers’ bill(s), 2020

The background involves two parliamentary bills. Firstly, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, allowing farmers to engage in agreements with big agro-farms or companies, rather than government APMCs, and carry out trade of agricultural products with those companies on mutually agreed prices.
On 24th September 2020, the second bill, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, was passed in Rajya Sabha through a voice vote amidst a big feud. The bill aimed to allow contract farming and removed barriers from intra and inter-state trading channels and many more trading facilities. 
 
But, did the bills turn out to be beneficial, or fatal for the farmers?

Why the protests?

The biggest concern the farmers are having is, elimination of a common middle man and incorporation of a big company would lead to a reduction in selling prices of products. 

They are concerned that privatisation of the procedure will lead to inconsistent MSPs (Minimum Selling Prices), or no MSPs at all. 

Also, according to farmers, in case of any dispute or grievance, big companies will have economic and influential upper hand.
Farming middlemen are protesting as the implementation of the bills would lead to their unemployment.

Farmers’ demands

Most of the farmers are dead against the bills. They think that the implementation of the bills will lead to tremendous economic losses and hardships.

Many farmers are demanding implementation of a proper grievance redressal system by the government. 

Also, farm-heads are asking for reconsideration of the bills and are seeking the government to listen to their say regarding the issue in case of any amendment. 

Final thoughts – What can be the solutions?

The government must listen to the demands made by farmers, as their community is the one which is going to be affected, positively, or negatively. The Union government has agreed to conduct talk sessions with farmers and listen to their demands.

If the bills are implemented, the government must establish proper governing bodies responsible for keeping watch on dealings and disputes between the farmers and agro-companies.

Lastly, the government must also keep in mind the situation of the middlemen, and must take steps to keep them employed. 

Well, a countrywide feud like this may not have an easy solution. But, with proper assistance from the government, the issue can be effectively addressed.

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