Why PM Modi is Not "Selling" Farmers, but Reforming Them
Over the years, the plight of Indian farmers has indeed worsened due to various socioeconomic factors. The division of land holdings with each passing generation, coupled with the adverse impacts of climate change, falling groundwater levels, and rising input costs, has left many farmers struggling to make ends meet. While the opposition, particularly Congress, offers a simplistic solution of farm loan waivers, which often end up in fake accounts, the reality is far more complex.
Modi's Vision for Agriculture and the Opposition Misleading Farmers
Prime Minister Modi's vision for agriculture is to free farmers from the shackles of the existing system and bring them to the global stage. However, the opposition, including parties like Congress and the left-leaning Jholawalaas, have misled farmers by presenting him as someone who is "selling" them. This mischaracterization is neither accurate nor beneficial for understanding the true goals of his policies.
Flawed MSP Regime and Its Impact on Indian Agriculture
The mandated Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, though well-intentioned, has led to overproduction of certain crops, such as wheat and rice, which have ample capacity to be exported. Meanwhile, grains procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) often rot, while the country continues to import edible oil. Punjab, with its competitive agricultural setup, produces significant quantities of wheat and rice due to free electricity and the assured buyer in the form of the government. However, this system has led to exploitation by middlemen and commission agents (bolis and mandis).
A Path Forward: The Removal of the Dalili System
A more appropriate question in this context is why Prime Minister Modi wants to destroy the dalili (middleman) system. Removing commission agents from the agricultural system can help reduce intermediaries and bring about more transparent and fair trade practices. As a banker with 15 years of experience, including 7 years in rural and 8 years in semi-urban areas, I have witnessed firsthand the exploitation of farmers by these intermediaries. Removing this layer can empower farmers to sell their produce at better prices, thus improving their livelihoods.
Government and Media Failures in Communicating Benefits
The government and media have failed miserably in communicating the benefits of these reforms to farmers. This has created a vacuum, which has been exploited by opportunists to target the government. It is concerning when educated citizens of India ask questions with a preemptive judicial decision, as if any policy reform would be implemented without due process. The appropriate question to ask is why PM Modi is working to reform an age-old system of farmers' exploitation, rather than questioning his motives.
In conclusion, PM Modi's reforms aim to empower farmers, not exploit them. His vision is to establish a transparent and merit-based system that works in the best interest of both farmers and the agricultural sector. By addressing systemic issues and empowering farmers with better market access, the long-term goal is to transform India into a formidable player in the global agricultural market.