Three ordinances have been passed by the centre:

1. The Farmers produce trade and commerce ( promotion and facilitation) ordinance, 2020

2. The Farmers ( Empowerment and Protection ) agreement on price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020

3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) ordinance, 2020

 

The farmers are against these ordinances, why?

 They expressed their outrage over the passage of these ordinances by the centre which they call as “anti- farmer.”

 

They believe the ordinances will lead to the destruction of farmers and will expose them to the whims of the market forces.

The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce ( Promotion and facilities) Bill, 2020 seeks to give freedom to farmers and traders to sale and purchase of their choice. It promotes interstate and intrastate sale of farmers produce outside the local markets.

 

The Farmers ( Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of price assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 seeks to frame national guidelines for trade agreements between farmers and agri– business firms, processors, wholesaler’s, exporters or large retailers  for farm services and sale of future farming produce at a mutually agreed remunerative price framework.

 

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 seeks amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 that empowers the Central Government to control the production, supply, distribution, trade and commerce in certain commodities.

 

Farmers response

The farmers say that these bills will lay the foundation for suspension of the minimum support price (MSP) system. They also fear that the traditional grain market system will be finished and small farmers will suffer losses as they won’t be able to seal an agreement with big retailers or wholesale buyers.

 

Farmers also fear that once big private companies enter the agricultural sector, they will capture it and traditional wholesale markets will shut down.

 

Governments view

The government is of the view that these bills are pro farmers and will open new business opportunities for farmers that will result in higher prices of their produce and hence increased income.

 

What do you think of the situation?

Do you stand with those who feed you and your family?