As Centre awaits protesting farmers’ response, experts say implementation of proposals will be crucial

Talking about the proposal, Devinder Sharma, agriculture policy expert and a food and trade policy analyst, told The Indian Express, “This is much short of the demands of the farmers. I find it just an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA) scheme that aims at ensuring fair prices for farmers and their produce, for which the procurement process needs to be strengthened. The proposal mentions three to four crops. What about the other crops like spices, vegetables, plantations, and oil seeds?”

“The protesting farmers represent the whole nation. Hence it needs to be seen if other crops are also included. Moreover, they need to study the economics of the crop as well as whether the total income of the crops mentioned above will provide income equivalent to paddy and wheat. Otherwise too, it is a matter of study and more analysis is needed to be done on this proposal. The rest is up to the farmers as to how they take it,” Sharma said.

Renowned agricultural economist Dr Sardara Singh Johl highlighted that the chief issue is procurement. “MSP on 23 crops is already there, but the problem is procurement. As of now, the farmer is selling a large part of his produce of maize, cotton and pulses below the MSP. Hence, if the government ensures to buy the crops on MSP without quantity limitation, it is a good step. Farmers should seriously consider this proposal and the government should also stand by their word to implement it. One-third of the farmers are marginal growers and do it for self-consumption only,” he said.

Gurvinder Singh, former director (agriculture) in Punjab, said, “The procurement of many crops like sunflower, mustard, moong, maize, etc is already going on through NAFED, and cotton through CCI, but yes, quantity limitation is there. If there is no quantity limitation, it needs to be seen how it will be implemented. As of now, for whatever procurement is happening through NAFED, first the state buys it and later raises the bills before the Centre. If the Centre makes direct payment, the load on the state is reduced and the state can be proactive in getting it implemented.”

“Once the Centre says that procurement will be done on MSP, then quality norms will also be there. How will they rescue the farmers in case some quality norms are not followed or if there are quality issues due to adverse weather? The purchase needs to be online, giving direct payment to farmers. This can avoid middlemen and hence the farmer’s income can be enhanced. However, above all, income parity with wheat and paddy is a must. The state also needs to pitch in here as they need to coordinate with the Centre for its implementation. They also need to earmark the district-wise area for particular crops to avoid glut,” Singh opined.

On the other hand, Jaswant Singh, director (agriculture) in Punjab welcomed the scheme. “This can be a win-win situation for Punjab’s farmers and our environment. Farmers are already growing cotton, maize and a few pulses. The MSP of the crops is there but the issue is with procurement due to which a large stock is being sold below MSP and gradually the area is shifting to wheat and paddy only. If the promised MSP is given, once again diversification can be possible in crops other than wheat and paddy, and groundwater can also be saved,” he explained.

On the income of farmers, Singh said, “Many farmers are already growing it and hence they know about its income parameters. So I don’t think it will be an issue.”

Retired agriculture officer with the Punjab agricultural department Mukhtiar Singh Bhullar, however, felt the farmers need to exercise caution. “The income of crops needs to match that of paddy and wheat, and why mention just three to four crops? The government has given a proposal, but it seems that the old scheme has been rewritten. Farmers need to study it minutely and respond accordingly considering that Punjab is taking the lead in fighting for the rights of the whole country in seeking MSP, a legal guarantee,” he said.