And for a Friday into the seventh month of highway blockage near Delhi by so called “Farmers”, some thoughts….. some musings.….
With more than 150 million farms with an average of less than 1.08 hectares, the real farmers, are struggling across India. Gasping for support and reforms to make Agriculture a sustainable proposition, three crucial farm laws which could revolutionise Indian Agriculture and rehabilitate farmers across the country is held at ransom by some of the most pampered farmers with irrigated farm lands from just 2 states and some landlords operating from Canada and UK. The agitation is mostly sponsored by the “Arthiyas”, the brokers who stand to loose huge commissions if and when the new Agri reforms come into force. The Supreme Court has stayed implementation. Govt has held 11 rounds of discussions. But the politically manipulated group blocking highways and risking pandemic super spreader possibilities is arrogantly dismissive of any attempt of reconciliation. They want their way or the highway with the Government of India. The agitation is now converted into a perception war further damaging the Indian image abroad.
Real Indian farmers toiling almost 24 by 7 do not have the luxury to sit for Road blocks. They are fighting for survival and are very quick to absorb all new technologies which are beneficial. They are craving for infrastructure support like cold storages, transportation from Farms to city markets, means for productivity improvements etc. Fortunately many new Agtech entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity and providing free scouting services. Farmers just take pictures of pests , disease, problems in their farms and upload. AI based systems take over and give the farmer the best possible solutions. Contract farming and FPOs ( Farmer Producer Organisations) – many new initiatives on the anvil; opportunities to absorb our huge educated youth entering the Job markets; Modernising Agriculture and reskilling the farm labour; using technology and social media to efficiently reach Markets. The three new farm laws are a MUST and is the only answer.
Let’s all support the poor farmer. But let the Indian tax payer not be held at ransom by pampered politico-landlords. Let’s create more jobs in agriculture, the modern way, the tech-savvy way, the SEEGOS way.