PM’s stance on protecting farmers’ interests welcomed by farmer groups

Farmers’ groups close to the government, during an interactive meeting with the Union Agriculture Ministry here on Tuesday, appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement that his government would provide high priority to the welfare of farmers. The groups said such a stern message addressed the concerns of farmers at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump and the American administration wanted to impose “unjust tariffs” on India. Meanwhile, the Left leaning All India Kisan Sabha said Mr. Modi had ignored the welfare of farmers throughout his tenure, and his policies had pauperised the agriculture sector in the past 11 years. 

In the interactive meeting chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the farmers’ groups expressed gratitude and support for the Union government’s “decisive action to protect farmers’ interests”. Dharmendra Choudhary, national president of the Indian Farmer Chaudhary Charan Singh Organisation, said Mr. Modi had made an unwavering statement in the interests of farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen. “India will not compromise their interests at any cost. This announcement not only brings relief to millions of food providers but also strengthens the self-reliance of agriculture and rural India. We wholeheartedly welcome and support this far-sighted and farmer-friendly vision, which will inspire future generations,” Mr. Choudhary said. 

Virendra Lohan of the Chhattisgarh Youth Progressive Farmers’ Association said the courageous decision to not allow American companies into our agriculture and dairy sectors is echoing in every field, village, and cowshed. “You have shown that the Indian farmer is not just a food provider but the very soul of this nation, a soul no foreign power can ever control,” he said. Dharmendra Malik of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Non Political) appealed to the government to stand firm on the stance taken, and “not change our policies on free trade”. “We will always stand by you,” Mr. Malik said. 

Agriculture Minister Mr. Chouhan said in his reply that the government would soon bring in a new law to take strict action against those producing fake fertilizers and chemicals. He said various schemes for farmers’ welfare were being advanced on priority.

Meanwhile, All India Kisan Sabha leaders Ashok Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan said Mr. Modi’s statement was an attempt to find favour with the farmers. “Indian farmers are not going to fall for such claims as they have heard many such jumlas and false promises from him in the last 11 years. In fact, the NDA government has ruined the competitiveness of farmers during its 11 year-rule. The PM did not fulfil the promise made in the 2014 election manifesto of the BJP of Minimum Support Price at a rate of C2+50% for all crops with guaranteed procurement as recommended by [the late] M.S. Swaminathan, [then] Chairman of National Farmers Commission. The lack of remunerative prices and spiralling input costs have put Indian agriculture in an acute crisis. Farmers are facing abysmal indebtedness and distress migration is rampant,” they said. 

“As per government data, 31 farmers commit suicide in India daily. But the PM has not initiated any debt relief scheme so far. In contrast, corporate debt amounting to ₹16.11 lakh crore has been waived in the last 11 years. About 48% of the Indian workforce depends on agriculture, and around 60% of families live in rural India. The peasantry’s suffering under the neo-liberal regime emerges clearly from Indian data,” they said, adding the policies being rigorously enforced in the past 11 years had pauperised the agrarian classes, and all the resources of agricultural land, forest, minerals and water were being placed in the hands of the corporate companies, both foreign and domestic.