AIKSCC | SabrangIndia

We stand unwaveringly with the farmers’ struggle: AIKSCC Working Group

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:32:25 +0000

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) unequivocally repeats, reiterates and places on record that it stands firmly, resolutely and unwaveringly with and in support of the ongoing Farmers’ Protest at Delhi and rest of India, said the AIKSCC National Working Group (WG,) its highest decision making body on January 28, 2021.

“There is no question of the AIKSCC disassociating itself from the ongoing protest and movement. It is noted with regret that some media channels are wrongly reporting that AIKSCC has withdrawn support to the Farmers’ Protest – nothing can be further from the truth,” said the Working Group in a press release.

Earlier, former AIKSCC member V. M. Singh had dissociated from the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). However, while Singh has made his statement as the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKMS) President, some news organisations took this to mean that the AIKSCC has split from the coalition group. The organisation published its official statement to dispose of any such confusion.

The statement – signed by WG members such as Sri Avik Saha, Dr. Ashish Mittal, Atul Kumar Anjan, Ashok Dhawle, Darshan Pal, Hannan Mollah, Jagmohan Singh, Kavitha Kuruganti, Kiran Vissa, Medha Patkar, Pratibha Shinde, Prem Singh Gehlawat, Raju Shetti, Raja Ram Singh, Satnam Singh Ajnala, Satyawan, Sunilam, Vemulapalli Venkataramaiya and Yogendra Yadav – reiterated that the organisation stands shoulder to shoulder with the farmers movement and any attempt to spin any other narrative amounts to sabotage of the ongoing struggle.

Officials said that as the largest platform of farmers and farm workers organisation of India, the AIKSCC represents the interest and concerns of its constituents and thus firmly stands with the demands for repeal of the three anti-farmer Acts, legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020. These are non- negotiable, said the AIKSCC.

“Any statement made by any person in any capacity whatsoever that is contrary to the above clear stand and position of the AIKSCC is incorrect, unauthorised and not the official position of AIKSCC and should not be taken cognisance of under any circumstances,” said the AIKSCC.

Accordingly, the Working Group appealed to all farmer leaders to unite and not give-in to the desperate diversionary and divisive attempts by this anti-farmer regime.

In light of the Republic Day incident, farmers cancelled the plan to march to Parliament on February 1, Budget Day. Instead, peasants will observe Jan Sabhas across India and one-day sit-in fast on January 30, Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.

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Over 300 districts in India celebrate Mahila Kisan Diwas!

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 13:03:52 +0000

Image Courtesy:sputniknews.com

More than 300 districts saw women farmers assert their rights as Indian farmers on Mahila Kisan Diwas, January 18, 2021, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) in a press release.

The organisation said that the participation of women on Monday highlighted that 75 percent of all agricultural work is done by women and that the three farm Acts will ruin their livelihood and survival most of all. Farmer leaders said that women engaged in almost all forms of farming work such as sowing, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, transporting, sorting, packing and in animal labour even dealt with rearing, provision of fodder, grazing, milking, cleaning, manufacture of dung cakes, processing of milk, etc.

Women farmers also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India demanding increase in MNREGA work and wages and an end to corruption. They also demanded land rights and pattas, Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of all crops at C2+50 percent, cheap loans and loan waiver for all farmers, transportation facilities, provision of equipment for food processing and sale of processed/semi processed foods in the market. Lastly they asked for pension and other social rights and protections.

“They demanded their share in the development of India, which is being handed over to the corporate and MNCs and said the new laws will be opposed till they are withdrawn,” said the AIKSCC.

Regarding the laws, women leaders said that the three Acts will jeopardise the Public Distribution System (PDS) and food security adversely affecting women.

“Women farmers are already in deep crisis due to implementation of enhanced electricity rates, inflated electricity bills and rising corruption. To correct them and [the] withdrawal of the Electricity Bill 2020 is becoming more and more popular all over India,” they said.

Women at the Singhu border voiced their dissent against the three agriculture laws forcibly passed by the central government – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

#MahilaKisanDiwas at Singhu border just now pic.twitter.com/zggiEQOLCJ

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 18, 2021

Similarly, thousands of women from Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrated Mahila Kisan Diwas at the Shahjahanpur farmer protest site on January 18, said the Sayukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).

Women took charge of the event at the Shahjahanpur-Kheda border along the Jaipur-Delhi Highway with cultural programs, street plays and speeches by women leaders. Moreover, women farmers in the vicinity also took out tractor marches to participate in the event.

“This movement will also be remembered for the pioneering contribution of women in the coming times,” said the SKM in a press release.

Women also participated in the gradual fasting for 24-hours. As many as 11 women farmers namely, Rajbala Yadav, Parameshwari, Geeta Chimpa, Ashwani Santosh Chauhan, Lata Bai Namdev, Sakubai Dhanraj, Shobhabai Shukra Lal, Mangal Shivaji Vag, Vanu Bai Jeera, Kammu Bai Manohar, Durga Devi and Manu Devi participated in the event.

Farmers from Maharashtra and Gujarat also participated in the day’s events as a response to the Supreme Court’s remarks on women’s participation in the farmers’ protest.

Women leaders took centre stage with leaders such as Pratibha Shinde, Chandrakala, Nisha, Rajbala and Varsha Deshpande making speeches about women’s role in the protest. Similarly, other speaker such as Rukmini, Varsha Chopra, Sumitra Chopra, Kavita Srivastava, Sunita Chaturvedi, Pratibha Shinde, Raija Bai and Manju Yadav also spoke and resolved to further increase the participation of women in the movement.

https://www.facebook.com/YogendraYY/posts/3722104564524591

Maharashtra women’s groups also observed similar protests in parts of the state as well.

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The Centre is misusing SC as a political shield: AIKSCC

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:33:59 +0000

Image Courtesy:financialexpress.com

The Supreme Court does not and cannot have any role in resolving the political deadlock over “anti-farmers” laws enacted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under pressure from corporates led by Ambani and Adani, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) on January 10, 2021.

The farmers organisation said the government was showcasing its “all-round failure” in solving farmers’ problems and misusing the Supreme Court as a “political shield.”

“It is a political choice made by BJP against the interests of farmers. Farmers are opposing these laws all over India. BJP leadership is displaying cowardice in opposing the diktats of corporate houses,” it said in a press release.

Farmer leaders said that farmers surrounding Delhi will tell the BJP-led government and the Parliament that it has passed wrong laws – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Members said that the laws will uproot farmers, change the farming pattern, decrease food security, farmer indebtedness, will lead to more suicides and hunger deaths and will destroy water, forest and ecological balance.

They said that while Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar claimed support of majority of farmers for the three Acts, the government failed to rally even a handful of farmers in support.

On Sunday, a pro-farm laws rally was to be held at Kaimla village in Karnal but was called off due to opposition from farmers.

“Haryana Chief Minister M. L. Khattar had to go back without landing his helicopter. Farmers protesting the laws took over the dias and police mercilessly used water cannons and baton charge to disperse them,” said the AIKSCC.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh police enforced massive police restrictions on peaceful protests, said leaders. Etah police put leaders of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Union under house arrest to stop their padyatra to Delhi.

“Farmers going to Delhi protest were stopped from boarding trains. Cases of violation of section 144 and Covid-19 restrictions are being foisted without restraint,” said the AIKSCC.

During all this, the West Bengal government boasts about granting an MSP for paddy of Rs 1,868 per quintal even though paddy sells at Rs 1,000 to 1100 per quintal. Leaders said that the Centre has made no provision for procurement in these states.

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Farmers’ movement akin to India’s struggle against colonisers: AIKSCC

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:12:01 +0000

Continuing repression against protesting farmers may escalate anger among people and lead to intensification of the farmers’ movement, said the Working Group of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee’s (AIKSCC) on January 4, 2021.

The Group issued a warning following a tear gas attack on January 3 on farmers peacefully advancing towards Delhi from Shahjahanpur border. Protesters were physically obstructed, tear-gassed and sprayed with chilly at Rewari. This has left several farmers with watering of eyes and skin irritation, said the organisation.

Taking stock of protests across India, farmer leaders said Punjab’s Congress government used severe baton charge on Kirti Kisan Union (KKU) activists protesting against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP in Sangrur district. Similarly, the Madhya Pradesh government and the Uttar Pradesh administration continue to prevent peaceful protests using Section 144 undemocratically and illegally in the name of Covid-19 while mass activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP proceed unhindered.

Further, leaders criticised Senior Minister Nitin Gadkari for speaking against farmers’ demands on Sunday, “leaving little chance of success.”

“Gadkari said yesterday that the core problem is surplus food and MSP higher than open markets. Fact is India has a huge starving population, the RSS-BJP govt is insensitive to their needs. Those whose stomachs are full, believe that India should produce less food. India’s position in the list of hungry countries is sinking every year,” they said citing India’s scores on the Global Hunger Index at 38.8 points in 2000 to 30.3 points in 2019 to 27.2 points in 2020.

The Group stated that “uncaring” Ministers are talking about surplus food while staying oblivious of the current status quo.

Regarding the debate of open market versus MSP, members said that it is a far cry from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim of standing with farmers. Across the globe, countries heavily subsidize farming so that overall crop prices remain low, said farmer leaders.

“Indian Ministers, dedicated to help Corporate purchase of cheap crops to earn high profits, say that the sale should be through open markets, not at MSP,” they said.

As for the affidavit submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Reliance Industries, the AIKSCC called it a “ploy” to serve business interests. The Group said the document, sent for fear of the growing anger of farmers, is full of false claims of never entering into the crop market or never taking over farmland.

“In Raigad, Maharashtra and other places large tracts of land have been taken over by Reliance and it must return all these before making any false claim,” said the AIKSCC.

As such, the farmers’ organisation stated that campaigns against Ambani and Adani products and services is akin to the Boycott of British goods during British rule and shall continue.

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Farmers leaders dismiss false claims of the central government

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 14:15:00 +0000

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) Working Group said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claims of development are hollow and fake and designed to favour corporate growth.

“As is proven by the three farm Acts forced on farmers, Modi’s claims at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 22, 2020 are not in harmony with the ground reality,” said the AIKSCC press release.

Accordingly, a large number of farmers in Gujarat decided to hold protest programs on December 25 to expose Modi’s and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s misgovernance. Farmers leaders said that farm suicides have continued unabated due to huge debts and deprivation of land. Analysis of 2011 National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data shows that in 10 years 3.55 lakh farmers went missing in the state while the number of agriculture workers increased by 17 lakhs.

“This was mainly due to promotion of export-oriented contract farming by the then Modi government. During the BJP rule, water from the Narmada dam and Sabarmati River WaterFront too has been diverted from agriculture to industry, leaving farmers struggling to irrigate their land every year,” they said.

Further, they dismissed Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s claim that farmers will not lose their land under contract farming as a big lie. The new law says in Section 9 that the farmer can obtain expenses through separate debt deeds signed with financial institutions meaning that land and property will be mortgaged. Section 14.2 also states that all advances obtained by the farmer from the company will be recovered ‘as arrears of land revenue.’

To demonstrate their continued opposition to the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, leaders asked farmers and supporters to skip one meal on the birthday of former Prime Minister and farmer leader Charan Singh on December 23, Kisan Diwas.

They also promised to intensify the boycott of products sold by companies owned by Ambani and Adani. Moreover, the AIKSCC condemned the crackdown on travelling protesters by the Madhya Pradesh police in Bhopal on December 22.

“AIKSCC has warned of intense struggle all over India against such high-handedness of BJP governments. Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi police faced reaction from farmers who were stopped in UP from travelling to Ghazipur,” they said.

The organisation stated that many such large arrivals from Western UP, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka would join farmers at various protest points.

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AIKSCC alleges Centre and state government trivialise farmers’ protest

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:40:53 +0000

Image Courtesy:hindustantimes.com

The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) Working Group condemned the central and state government for attempting to repress farmers’ movement while at the same time ignoring their demand for repeal of the three farm laws.

Regarding Union Agriculture Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar’s letter, members said it shows the Union disinterest in solving farmers’ issues.

“The problem in the laws lies in its objectives where the Corporate will have legal rights to trade and agricultural produce, to engage farmers in contracts and to stock and black-market food which will now be deprived of its Essential Commodity Cover. AIKSCC has said the objectives also say the government will promote all these pro corporate, anti farmer measures,” they said, in a letter.

They also accused the Minister of deliberately twisting facts on talks while claiming modesty and open mindedness. Farmers organisations sent multiple representations for repeal of the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Moreover, when the movement reached Delhi, farmer leaders were forced to give a point by point critique of the clauses wherein they unanimously concluded on December 3 that the laws must be repealed to save farmer land and livelihood. However, they said the government picked and chose eight issues to claim as the main issues.

Working Group members said that corporations all over the world are trying to grab farmland from small owner peasants and water resources for the power sector, real estate and other commercial interests. This puts farmers in conflict with MNCs and the government that serves them.

“Current movement of the farmers is thus receiving wide support internationally also and already people in 82 countries have come out to protest,” said Working Group members.

Meanwhile, the organisation observed a massive protest at Mumbai on Tuesday wherein more than 15,000 farmers protested outside Ambani and Adani office at Bandra Kurla Complex. Leaders from Maharashtra and Punjab addressed the crowd.

Farmers criticized the dictatorial language used by Modi against farmers’ demands, saying no one can stop him from implementing reforms. Further, they condemned the severe repression unleashed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state governments for mistreating protesters.

In Haryana, many farmers who had shown black flags and participated in protests were put in custody. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh administration allegedly continues to lodge false cases to arrest activists while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath makes open threats and claims of service to farmers. The AIKSCC added that all the while paddy crops continue to sell at Rs 1,000 per quintal even though the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is Rs. 1,868 per quintal.

AIKSCC Working group condemns and distances from V M Singh statement

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 05:09:13 +0000

Image Courtesy:sanhati-india.in

Working Group members of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) on December 12, 2020 disassociated and condemned a statement by AIKSCC Convener V M Singh, clarifying that his claim was not authorised by the organisation.

“The National Working Group of AIKSCC, its highest decision-making body, disassociates itself from a statement made to the media by Singh. The statement did not follow protocols of decision-making by the Working Group,” they said in a press release.

Members reaffirmed that they firmly stand with agitating farmers in their demand for the repeal of three anti-farmer Acts and legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) stating that these agendas are “non- negotiable.”

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers movement. Any attempt to hold parallel negotiations with the government. amounts to sabotaging a historic movement of the farmers,” they said.

Earlier, the farmer leader told media persons during a press conference that farmers simply want an assurance on MSP and a guarantee of produce purchase. Further he said farmers would benefit from the MSP Guarantee Bill.

The organisation warned that the anti-farmer regime was resorting to desperate diversionary and divisive attempts to break the unity of farmers across India. Accordingly, they appealed to all farmer leaders to unite and repulse all such divide-and-rule tactics.

The farmers’ movement will continue on December 13 as thousands of farmers from Rajasthan will travel towards Delhi on tractors via the Jaipur-Delhi highway to decry the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment).

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Farmers and workers gear up for November 26 protest!

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 13:51:02 +0000

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Farmers organisations, trade Unions and workers’ organisations across India have set the stage for the nationwide civic unrest planned from November 26, 2020 onwards.

During a press conference on November 25, coordinating members of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) said all states were geared up for “Dilli Chalo” programme for November 26 and 27.

Similarly, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on Wednesday strongly denounced government’s repression on peasants and workers since the last two days.

Both organisations and their coalitions asserted many times in recent days that peasant unrest will continue indefinitely if the central government does not accede to their demands.

“Farmers’ indefinite struggle with Dilli Chalo on November 26th onwards has been launched in full strength and we will intensify the struggle from here on”, said the AIKSCC.

Their main demands include a repeal of the three central farm Acts and a withdrawal of the Electricity Bill 2020. The farmers’ body called these legislations “anti-farmer and anti-people,” created mainly to facilitate the expansion of corporate control over agriculture and food systems.

Meanwhile, trade Unions demanded that the Union government abstain from privatising the public sector of India that serves as the backbone of the economy. They congratulated the working class and the peasantry for displaying such strong solidarity and determination to fight and warned the BJP-led government that the anger of the people against its disastrous and destructive policies will not be suppressed by dictatorial measures.

To illustrate this point, organisations referred and condemned arrests of several farmer and Trade Union leaders there since November 24. As many as 31 leaders have been detained or arrested in Haryana.

“Workers, employees and peasants in Haryana are jointly protesting against the repression and are sitting on dharna in many places demanding immediate release of the arrested leaders. The working class throughout the country has condemned these arrests,” said CITU.

To make matters worse, the Odisha government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) that ensures the continuance of certain services. State workers have organised protest demonstrations in front of the state assembly against the decision.

Undeterred by the arrests, tens of thousands of peasants from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other states are moving towards Delhi using different modes of transport. Hundreds of people will reach Delhi in vehicle convoys from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

In locations distant from Delhi, simultaneous protests will happen locally, at taluka, district and state levels. For example, 16 newly-elected MLAs in Bihar will protest outside the Legislative Assembly on Constitution Day while dharnas and demonstrations are observed at most districts of the state. Similarly, Jharkhand protesters will march to the Raj Bhavan.

Southern state Karnataka has created a thousand points to implement village-level bandhs with Jathas underway in different districts. Tamil Nadu will witness rasta roko and rail roko agitation in more than 500 places.

District and taluka level protests are planned in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The two southern states will also hold demonstrations at central government offices at all district centres on November 27.

Andhra Pradesh farmers will protest on Friday in front of power sub-stations across the state against the Electricity Bill and reforms while south Odisha will observe complete bandh.

Maharashtra farmers will close all Mandis as part of the Grameen Hartal and in 200 tehsils of 37 districts, tehsil level protests will be held. There is also a plan to have indefinite protests launched in some districts in parallel with the Delhi protest. In West Bengal, Grameen Hartal will be observed in all districts. More than 500 conventions and outreach programs have been held in the past few weeks in the state.

On Tuesday, trade Unions had said that workers from banks and insurance companies, coal sector, power sector, steam sector, oil sector, defence sector, railways sector, various central government employees, several state governments, even private transport sectors such as auto drivers, taxi driver unions promised to abstain from work. Leaders warned that some buses may not arrive early morning on Thursday. Further, scheme workers like anganwadi workers, ASHA personnel as well as hawkers, bidi workers, agriculture workers and construction workers will also join the strike.

The growing coalition warned the Union government not to use Covid-19 as an excuse to thwart the democratic right of citizens to protest against anti-people moves.

“Covid-19 care requires several medical and preventive steps, like distribution of masks, sanitizers, physical care of the needy and jobless, etc where the government’s performance is woefully wanting. The Government has rather imposed policing and fines which are counter-productive and meant to blame people and demoralize them. The Government of India should stop mis-utilising coronavirus threats to harm farmers,” said the AIKSCC in a press conference.

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AIKSCC declares pan-India Solidarity Day and Delhi Chalo march

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 13:06:24 +0000

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As many as one lakh mails will be sent to the President of India on Solidarity Day, November 12, 2020, to denounce the vindictive behaviour of the central government against Punjab peasantry, said the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC.) Further, the organisation also decried Delhi police’s attempts to prevent the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.

The AIKSCC on November 11, condemned the Government of India for halting the operation of goods trains to Punjab, thus preventing supply of fertilizer, coal and other essential goods, to blackmail state residents. Describing it as an act of repression on the peasant struggle, they demanded that the government effectively resume goods.

AIKSCC Convener Darshan Pal said Punjab farmers had respected all Union Railway Ministry instructions to clear railway tracks for movement of goods trains.

“Despite this, the Railway Ministry has put another condition that goods trains would be run only along with passenger trains, the service of which is in any case skeletal due to restrictions imposed by the Railways itself. Clearly, the Central Government is blackmailing and harassing the people of Punjab and this is unacceptable,” he said.

All political parties in the state including the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) farmers’ wing are supporting the farmers struggle. The organisation reported that the Punjab BJP unit is upset with the central government for not listening to grievances of farmers. They also mentioned that the central government invited Punjab’s farmer organisations for talks while continuing to halt goods trains.

Representing the southern states, Telangana farmers’ leader Kirankumar Vissa also expressed his solidarity with Punjab farmers.

“Punjab is the state where people from all sections of society came together to support farmers. This is why the government is punishing the whole state. The rest of the country will not stay silent and we will participate in the Solidarity protest on November 12,” he said. Vissa also questioned the Delhi police for using the pandemic as an excuse to reject the assembly on November 26 when rural farmers travelling to city areas were the ones risking infection.

Similarly, the AIKSCC questioned the Delhi police’s decision denying them permission to assemble farmers in Delhi for the Delhi Chalo protest gathering of farmers on November 26 and November 27.

Asserting that farmers will observe the march on the given days despite this, AIKSCC General Secretary Hannan Mollah said, “We will resist this illegal attempt of the Delhi Police and warns that efforts to sabotage gathering of farmers at Delhi will not be accepted by the farmers of India.”

All representatives present at the conference declared their resolve to oppose the three “undemocratically sanctioned laws that will end up demolishing the APMC system.” Farmers remain apprehensive of these laws that fail to talk about Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and procurement guarantees and cater to private agri-businesses instead.

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Bihar farmers lose out on 2020’s maize crop boom

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 07:32:01 +0000

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Although Bihar’s maize crop enjoyed a boom this year, farmers did not receive decent rates, said member of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) Ashish Ranjan on November 9, 2020. Local farmers claim that labour migration, among other issues caused by the lockdown, adversely affected current and future farming prospects.

“Ideally maize costs around Rs. 1,600 to Rs. 1,700 per quintal. The MSP [Minimum Support Price] is Rs. 1,850 per quintal as declared by the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for marketing season 2020-21. However, farmers have only received Rs. 1,000 per quintal or Rs. 1,100 this year,” said Ranjan.

Bihar’s farmers spent the better part of kharif season demanding proper prices for their maize produce while political parties geared up for state elections. It may be mentioned that while many farmers from Madhepura, Araria and other districts observed a hunger strike in June, no political party included low maize prices or Minimum Support Prices (MSP) as a part of their manifestos.

According to Araria’s maize farmer Amar, traders are the only ones who have benefitted from this year’s crop yield.

“Last year, I sold 200 quintals of maize – less than this season’s sale. But I earned more in 2019 due to better price rates. I received Rs. 1,700 per quintal which went up to Rs. 2,000 per quintal by the end of the season,” said Amar.

This year, he sold 300 quintals for Rs. 1,000 per unit. Estimating an expenditure of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per acre on his 10-acre land, Amar has resolved to apply for another loan for the next season’s harvest.

Amar was one of the participants of the June hunger strike, demanding government assistance in the sale of maize crops. At the time, local authorities had promised to conduct a survey before answering their demands. However, Amar said that no one from the government ever came to his field to survey the state of his crops.

Bereft of any other means, farmers like him were forced to sell their produce to small traders who took the crop to big markets in Purnia and other districts and sold the produce at Rs. 1,200 per quintal.

Amar reasoned that the situation would have been better if farmers had proper go-downs or storage spaces to preserve their crops.

“If we had go-downs, we could wait for better prices to sell our produce. The monsoon rains also speed up our need to sell our crop before they are ruined,” he said.

While Araria’s private storehouses enjoy a capacity of around 50,000 tonnes, local farmers like Amar can only afford the Panchayat-level storehouses that have very little capacity. He argued that farmers would profit greatly if the state government created three or four go-downs at the Panchayat-level to help local farmers.

Ranjan reinforced this idea by saying that marginal farmers would also benefit from maize crops if the government provided facilities to deal with crop storage, irrigation, and regularisation of markets.

Most farmers in Bihar are market-dependent, which is ironic considering the state government abolished the APMC system in 2006. According to a 2019 study by the National Council for Applied Economic Research the abolition of APMC had resulted in increased volatility in crop prices which negatively affected farmers’ crop choices and decisions to adopt improved cultivation practices. The study showed that farmers have been left to the mercy of traders who unscrupulously fix lower prices for agricultural produce bought from farmers.

In the present, Amar fears that the labour migration caused by the lockdown would affect the harvest of the next season as well. The absence of labourers meant farmers would not be able to finish field-work on time. Moreover, he said the government had offered no benefits this year.

When asked about possible reliefs for farmers, Amar said that price subsidies for seeds, transport services and storage facilities could improve farmers’ situation immensely.

“Currently, maize seeds cost Rs. 300 per packet that yields 4kg of crop. If this seed-price is lowered, then I might be able to breakeven,” he said.

Maize became a popular crop over the last decade as its hybrid seeds gained popularity among farmers. By 2017, Bihar had become the third-largest producer of maize in India. Yet, farmers continue to suffer from little market access. Having done his bit for the state elections, Amar said, “I hope that a new government would look into our issues.”

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