It’s time to end the agitation. Let’s Focus on Real Solutions for Indian Farmers.Indian agriculture stands at a defining moment. The image of a farmer sowing seeds in the fertile fields of Punjab or harvesting crops in the sun-drenched plains of Maharashtra reflects the soul of the nation. Over the past decade, India’s farmers have seen unprecedented support and transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From the sunburnt fields of Rajasthan to the fertile plains of Uttar Pradesh, farmers today stand more empowered, more secure, and more hopeful than ever before. Prime Minister Modi’s unwavering commitment to transforming Indian agriculture has not only revitalised rural livelihoods but also restored the dignity and strength of India’s farmers. The rollout of direct financial assistance, improved irrigation, access to credit, and strategic market reforms have given farmers a new lease on life. Yet, at a time when Indian agriculture is poised for a golden era, the misguided agitation led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) threatens to derail this hard-earned progress.
As a Founder Member of Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangha (RKM), I have witnessed firsthand how Indian farmers, fragmented by geography and economic disparity, came together under a single banner. The formation of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) was a historic moment for India’s agrarian community—a united front aimed at protecting farmers’ interests and ensuring that their voices were heard at the highest levels of government. The SKM gave farmers a platform, a collective strength that made the government sit up and listen. However, the current agitation stands in stark contrast to that spirit of unity and purpose. It has been hijacked by political forces that seek to exploit farmers’ grievances for electoral gain, diverting attention from the real issues facing Indian agriculture.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Indian agriculture has witnessed a historic transformation. The PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme has been a game changer. Over `2.8 Lakh Crore has been directly transferred to more than 11 crore farmers’ bank accounts, providing them with financial security and flexibility to invest in inputs and equipment. For decades, farmers struggled with soil degradation and poor productivity. The Soil Health Card Scheme addressed this challenge by distributing more than 23 crore Soil Health Cards, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about fertilizers and improving soil fertility. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been another milestone. As India’s largest crop insurance scheme, it has provided over `1.4 Lakh Crore in claims, shielding farmers from crop loss due to weather extremes and natural calamities.
Recognizing the critical role of water in agriculture, the government launched the Per Drop More Crop initiative under the larger umbrella of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana. Over 72 lakh hectares have been brought under micro-irrigation, ensuring better water efficiency and higher yields. The expansion of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme has given farmers unprecedented access to affordable credit. Over 3 crore new Kisan Credit Cards have been issued since 2020, allowing farmers to access institutional credit at low-interest rates, reducing dependence on informal moneylenders. To strengthen market access, the government has integrated over 1,260 mandis through the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform. This has empowered farmers with better price discovery and reduced dependency on middlemen, ensuring fair prices for their produce.
India’s global leadership in millet production is another testimony to Prime Minister Modi’s agricultural vision. India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of millets, and the United Nations’ declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets was a direct result of India’s diplomatic and agricultural leadership. The government’s push for crop diversification, sustainable farming, and export-driven growth has positioned Indian agriculture as a powerhouse in global markets.
Despite this remarkable progress, the SKM’s agitation threatens to reverse these gains. The demand for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) is economically unsustainable and strategically flawed. While MSP provides a safety net for farmers, making it legally binding for all crops would force the government to procure excess produce it cannot store or distribute. This would create market distortions, drive up fiscal deficits, and ultimately harm the very farmers it seeks to protect. India’s agricultural sector thrives when farmers are competitive in the global market—not when they are dependent on artificial price supports.
The same holds true for the demand to scrap the Electricity Amendment Bill. The bill aims to improve the efficiency and distribution of electricity, especially in rural areas. Privatization, when regulated properly, will ensure more reliable power supply, reducing input costs and increasing production efficiency. Rejecting reforms without exploring their benefits only ensures that rural India remains stuck in outdated systems.
One of the most distressing demands is the call for compensation for the families of those who died during the previous farmers’ protests. While the loss of life is tragic and deserves compassion, tying it to political leverage is morally wrong. Farmers’ lives are not bargaining chips. Seeking compensation without addressing the underlying issues—better market access, improved irrigation, and insurance against crop loss—only shifts focus away from real solutions. Farmers need dignity, not charity.
The Government of India has shown unprecedented willingness to engage with farmers and address their concerns. The repeal of the three farm laws in 2021 was a testament to the government’s commitment to listening to farmers’ voices. A committee on MSP was formed, and multiple rounds of talks have been held. Yet the SKM’s rigid stance, driven more by political ideology than by farmers’ welfare, has stalled meaningful progress.
In a significant step toward resolving this crisis, the government has agreed to hold a detailed discussion with all stakeholders before the next date of talk on May 4th—the day with farmers’ representatives. This creates a genuine opportunity for farmers’ leaders to present their case in a structured and solution-oriented environment. The government will and possible stakeholders. The engagement will aim for viksit Bharat by 2047 and net zero emitter Indian economy and all representatives from agricultural cooperatives, financial institutions, Private sector, and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) to join the dialogue and create a comprehensive solution framework. This is a golden opportunity for SKM to shift from confrontation to collaboration. If the government is showing willingness to listen, why continue the agitation? Why let political narratives hijack an opportunity for meaningful reform?
What India’s farmers need is support—not hollow slogans, not political posturing, not temporary fixes. They need to know that when their crops fail, there’s a safety net. They need to know that they can access affordable credit without falling into the clutches of moneylenders. They need to know that their produce will find a fair price in the market, not through artificial price supports but through competitive value chains and export opportunities.
This is not the time for confrontation, it is the time for cooperation. The SKM has a moral responsibility to step back from the brink and steer the movement toward meaningful reform. Farmers have already sacrificed enough. Let’s not ask them to sacrifice more in the name of misguided political narratives.
To the leaders of SKM—your movement was born from a genuine cause. It gave a voice to the voiceless, brought farmers’ issues to the national stage, and forced the government to listen. But now you stand at a crossroads. You can either continue down the path of confrontation, risking the very livelihoods you claim to protect—or you can choose the path of dialogue and reform.
India’s farmers have achieved remarkable progress under PM Modi’s leadership. It is time to stop the agitation—not as a sign of defeat, but as a gesture of strength and wisdom.
Let dialogue replace protest. Let solutions replace slogans. Let farmers finally breathe the air of hope and dignity. If the SKM genuinely cares about farmers’ future, it should call off the agitation immediately and walk into the May 4th meeting with a constructive mindset. India’s agricultural future depends on it.
(Founder Member, Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangha and Member, PM-MSP Committee, GoI)
