Hundreds of farmers under the banner of the Navnirman Krusak Sangathan (NKS) blocked the National Highway at Chandikhol in Jajpur district on Tuesday opposing the farm reform Bills recently passed in Parliament.
NKS national coordinator Akshya Kumar led the protest and thanked the farmers for coming out in large numbers against the three farm Bills.Farmer leaders alleged that the Bills are aimed at benefiting big corporate houses and ending the minimum support price-based procurement of farm produce by the Government, said Kumar. Notably, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 permits electronic trading of farmers’ produce and allows setting up of transaction platforms for facilitating direct online buying and selling of farm products.
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 provides for a farming agreement prior to production or rearing of any farm produce.
A guaranteed price to be paid for purchase of farming produce will be mentioned in such agreements.