Context: 

Recently, farmer leaders blocked the road at Shahabad near Kurukshetra against the Haryana government’s refusal to procure sunflower seeds at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,400 per quintal. 

Remembering the 1943 Famine and Learning from History:

• Lack of contemporary studies on Indian agrarian and market conditions that can lead to famine and economic crises.
• The need for politicians to examine the policies that imperil producers and lead to profiteering.

Challenges Faced by Farmers Today:

• Edible Oils: Importing foreign edible oils instead of promoting native oilseeds, affecting domestic farmers and enriching importers and marketing companies.
  • India is the world’s biggest edible oil importer, spending $20 billion on it annually. 
  • So, a government that talks incessantly about atmanirbharta ought to have a policy that would help India dictate the global prices of oilseeds and edible oils.

• MSP Implementation Issues:
  • Challenges in implementing declared MSPs for oilseeds and hesitance by state governments to pay these prices.
  • MSP losing its intended purpose and being perceived as an unachievable luxury price.

• Plight of Vegetable Growers:
  • Examples of capsicum harvest sold at significantly lower prices compared to retail outlets, causing losses for farmers and consumers.
  • Farmers struggling to recover costs and unable to afford cold storage, affecting the potential for plentiful harvests.

The Consequences of Neglecting Farmers:

• Reduced cultivation of oilseeds due to farmer apprehension and police intervention.
• Shrinkage of oilseed cultivation benefiting international traders and domestic sellers.

Way Forward:

• The Need for Post-Harvest Infrastructure:
  • Lack of post-harvest infrastructure for all crops, including food grains.
  • The urgency for investment in storage facilities to prevent wastage and loss of produce.

• Prioritizing Food Security and Farmers’ Welfare
  • Emphasizing the importance of food security for national security.
  • Acknowledging the role of prosperous farmers in building a new India.

News Source: The Tribune