After weeks of tense standoffs and a massive "Delhi Chalo" march, a late-night meeting between farmers and the government offered a potential breakthrough in their ongoing dispute. The government proposed a five-year guaranteed purchase scheme for key crops, including pulses, maize, and cotton, specifically targeting farmers in Punjab. This comes in response to the central demand of farmers for assured minimum support prices (MSP).
While the "Delhi Chalo" march, symbolizing the farmers' protest, has been temporarily halted, the farmers have warned of resuming it on February 21st if their demands including a law guaranteeing MSP, debt relief, and pensions for farmers and farm laborers, are not met. Security measures remain in place, highlighting the situation's lingering tension and uncertainty.
Swaminathan Commission Recommendations:
The Swaminathan Commission, led by renowned agricultural scientist Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, proposed a comprehensive roadmap for reforms in 2006. Key recommendations included:
Ensuring Fair Prices: Setting MSPs at least 50% above the weighted average cost of production, including land lease and family labor, to provide a guaranteed minimum income for farmers.
Investment in Infrastructure: Prioritizing public investment in irrigation, storage, and research to improve yields and resilience.
Empowering Farmers: Strengthening farmer organizations, facilitating market access, and reducing input costs to give them greater control over their livelihoods.
Addressing Land Issues: Implementing land reforms to protect farmers' rights and prevent unfair land acquisition.
Farmers' Demands Align with Swaminathan Commission:
Farmers' current demands beyond guaranteed prices resonate with several recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. These include:
MSP Implementation: A legal guarantee for MSP on all notified crops, based on the C2+50% formula, similar to the Commission's recommendation.
Debt Relief: Comprehensive debt relief measures to address the burden of mounting debt faced by many farmers.
Sustainable Practices: Increased support for sustainable farming practices and diversification of crops, aligning with the Commission's emphasis on long-term agricultural development.
Pension Schemes: Pensions for farmers and farm laborers, reflecting the Commission's concern for social security in the agricultural sector.