As the farmers’ protest at the Punjab-Haryana border enters its seventh day, a crucial juncture has been reached in the negotiations between the protesting farmers and the Central Government late Sunday night. At the heart of the discussions lies the Central Government's proposal to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for four crops over the next five years. The farmer leaders have now taken a proactive approach by initiating extensive brainstorming sessions with fellow farmers and agricultural experts to dissect the intricacies of the proposal.
The proposal put forth by the Central Government includes the assurance of MSP for maize, cotton, pigeon pea, and urad dal, along with a procurement mechanism through cooperative societies — National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) — for the next five agricultural seasons. While the proposal addresses the concerns of farmers in Punjab and aligns with the state’s agricultural landscape, farmer leaders recognize the need for comprehensive deliberations before reaching a consensus on the same.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarvan Singh Pandher, one of the farmer leaders leading the protest, emphasized the importance of consulting agricultural experts and legal professionals to analyze the implications of the government’s proposal thoroughly. “We are committed to ensure that the interests of all farmers are safeguarded. Therefore, it is imperative to engage in detailed discussions with experts from the agricultural community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a pan-India farmers’ body, has rejected the Centre’s proposal, particularly opposing the diversification and procurement plan for crops. Dr Darshan Pal, a leading member of SKM’s national coordination committee, emphasized the need for proposals that benefit all farmers uniformly.
“Farmers’ demands should be met comprehensively, ensuring the welfare of all. We were not part of the discussions regarding the Government’s proposal,” Dr Pal said.
The farmers’ demands extend beyond MSP for specific crops. They advocated for comprehensive legal guarantees ensuring MSP for all crops, based on the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan Commission. Additionally, they have raised concerns about the mounting debt burden on the farmers and have called for its waiver. The farmers’ leaders stressed the importance of addressing these multifaceted issues to ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture in India.
As discussions continue, farmer leaders plan to consult various stakeholders and farm organizations on February 19 and 20. A final decision is expected to be announced on the evening of February 20, following which a march to Delhi is scheduled for the morning of February 21.
The decision to engage in brainstorming sessions with fellow farmers and agriculture experts underscores the farmers’ commitment to make informed decisions that reflect the collective interests of the farming community, as the decision taken now is expected to be implemented for farmers across the country. The discussions over the proposal for the next couple of days aimed at dissecting the nuances of the government’s proposal, assess its potential impact on farmers across different regions, and identify areas that require further negotiation or clarification.
Furthermore, farmer leaders emphasized the need to address broader issues beyond MSP, including agricultural reforms, debt relief, and sustainable farming practices. By soliciting input from diverse stakeholders within the agricultural sector, farmers aim to formulate a comprehensive strategy that addresses the systemic challenges facing Indian agriculture.
In addition to engaging with fellow farmers, farmer leaders plan to consult various farm organizations and stakeholders to garner broader perspectives on the Central Government’s proposal. These consultations are scheduled to take place over the next two days, with a final decision expected to be announced after careful consideration of all viewpoints.
Amidst the ongoing negotiations, farmer leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to the principles of non-violence and democratic dialogue. They reiterate their willingness to engage constructively with the Central Government to find a mutually acceptable solution that addresses the core concerns of the farming community.
Fourth Round of Talks Yields Potential Solutions
In the latest round of discussions between the farmer leaders, and the Union Ministers —Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann acting as mediator on Sunday, significant proposals were presented, offering hope for resolving the ongoing protests.
Union Ministers — led by Goyal — outlined a proposal focusing on crop diversification into pulses, cotton, and maize. They assured farmers of MSP without quantity limitations, aiming to address concerns about potential losses and promote sustainable agriculture practices, while describing the discussions, lasting over four hours, as “positive”.
During the talks, farmers’ representatives highlighted the pressing issue of rising desertification in Punjab due to depleting water sources, which prompted discussions on the importance of diversification, with a specific focus on cultivating pulses to reduce imports, conserve water resources, and enhance farmers' income.
Goyal addressed farmers' concerns about growing maize, proposing a solution involving cooperative societies like NAFED entering into five-year contracts with farmers. This approach would ensure purchases at MSP without quantity limitations, mitigating fears of financial losses and providing stability to farmers.
Similarly, the Cotton Corporation of India was suggested as a potential buyer of cotton at MSP, further broadening the scope of support for farmers venturing into alternative crops.
However, Goyal acknowledged that certain policy matters discussed at the meeting required broader representation and could not be finalized with only a few representatives. He assured that these policy discussions would be revisited in due course, taking into account the upcoming elections and the diverse interests of stakeholders.
Echoing support for diversification efforts, Mann emphasized the need for farmers to receive profits comparable to traditional crops like paddy. He stressed the importance of government intervention to ensure fair prices and market access for newly diversified crops, thereby encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
The meeting concluded with the decision resting in the hands of the farmers, who are expected to provide their response to the proposals by Wednesday evening.
Experts’ Take on Centre’s Proposal
Agricultural experts have expressed their concerns on the feasibility and potential impact of the Centre’s proposed crop diversification plan and assistance from NAFED.
Renowned agriculture expert Devinder Sharma expressed skepticism about the proposal, stating that it fall short of addressing the farmers’ demands. He said that the Centre’s proposal appeared to be an extension of existing schemes like Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA), focusing on limited crops. “What about other essential crops like spices, vegetables, and oilseeds?” he asked.
Sharma emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach and further analysis, stating that the protesting farmers represent the entire nation. “It's crucial to consider the inclusion of other crops and assess whether the proposed crops can provide income comparable to traditional staples like paddy and wheat,” he said.
Renowned agricultural economist Dr Sardara Singh Johl highlighted the critical issue of procurement. He said: “MSP for 23 crops exists, but the challenge lies in its effective procurement. Many farmers currently sell crops like maize, cotton, and pulses below MSP. If the government commits to purchasing these crops at MSP without limitations, it could be beneficial,” he said, while emphasizing the importance of implementation.
BOX
Centre’s Proposal:
· Central Ministers assured MSP for four crops — Maize, Cotton, Pigeon Pea, Urad Dal
· Procurement to be conducted through Cooperative societies for five years
· Contractual agreements to be done with NAFED and NCCF for procurement
· No limitations on purchase quantity
