The grim realities of the present "farmers' agitation" in India

Balen Das

(balen258@gmail.com)

By now, the 'Farmers Agitation' should have been history. But it is lingering. Is it because of the desperation of the Opposition to cling on to the last straw to corner the government or is it the handling of the issue in a cavalier manner by the government? Perhaps no one can answer these questions— simply because nobody seems to have any answer. The experts and the agitation leaders were telling us in various discussions in the TV, newspapers, social media et al that we, the common people, neither know nor understood much about the subject - the Farmers' Agitation. It was assumed that these people knew what they were talking about. But now having seen and listened to them enough, one feels that — on the contrary, most of these AC-room 'Armchair Experts' have no clue or idea of what they were talking about. Alternatively, they could simply be trying to mislead the public. Hence it appears that they neither have the interest nor the inclination to even acquire some rudimentary knowledge about this burning issue. They simply do not know the basics. Because they perhaps have seen or heard about these farms and fields as tourists, in TV shows or read about in books and newspapers only.

I'm also not an expert or an authority on the subject. But I certainly can claim to know the basics. I grew up in a village where traditionally agriculture is the main calling and also it is imbibed in the culture of the villagers. So naturally, some of that agrarian culture rubbed off on me. From what I have gathered or understood about the subject, I am making an endeavour to put forward my views. The aim of this article is to go into the details of various aspects related to the 'Farmers Agitation' and try to see the actual problems and also extend viable solutions if any.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is so, to any serious and concerned observer these two photographs of farmers, widely seen in the media, should clearly depict the grim realties of the Farmers' Agitation. The first one depicts the plight of an actually poor and wretched farmer. He is toiling hard, tilling his land in order just to be able to feed his family and barely make the both ends meet. The second one depicts a group of farmers enjoying the luxury of foot massage. That too by highly sophisticated, electronically operated high-end foot massagers — a luxury which will be the envy of any wealthy person even in India. However, ostensibly, they are participating in a protest rally — as poor farmers, demanding their rights to be restored by repealing the 'Farm Act- 2020. These contrasting representations of farmers in the two afore-mentioned photographs depict the clear, complete and utter travesty of truth being orchestrated in the Farmers; Agitation. However, despite such apparent and obvious clarity about the nature and intent of the Farmers' Agitation, it lingers on without any sign or sight of solution in the near future.

Post the Red-Fort incident on the last Republic Day — January 26, 2021, the so-called Farmers' Agitation stands nakedly exposed, beyond all doubt, for what it is. It is abundantly clear that this is not a Farmers' Agitation. It would be rather naive even to imagine that this agitation has anything to do with the interests of any farmer in the country. Certainly not by any stretch of imagination; with the interests of the actual and more relevantly with those of the poor wretched peasants. Not even with the actual and poor farmers in the Punjab, as well as the other Indian States of Haryana, Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. On the contrary, it is delivering a death knell especially for the farmers in these very States.

I hail from a farmers' family in Assam with a considerable amount of farming activities. I can claim to understand and know enough about farming in Assam as well as in the Punjab and elsewhere in the country. As an Army officer, I served a few tenures in the Punjab and these States. During various Army exercises and operational deployments, we were deployed or had camped in their fields, farm huts and sheds. There, interacting with those actual farmers and the landless farm hands, the real peasants, specially in the Punjab, one could readily and naturally understand and connect with them, their agriculture culture and the problems faced by them. Moreover I have many friends from these areas — whom I have known since my NDA days for over 50 years now. Many of them, like me, hail from villages and are conversant with farming activities. My interactions with them and other such friends from the Punjab and neighbouring States have added to my understanding and the ability to perceive or comprehend matters or issues related to farming in these areas— And that too to a reasonable extent.

In the Punjab, the possibility of floods is less due to scanty rains. Similarly drought is taken care of by the canals and bore-wells. Hence, the adverse effects of floods and droughts are almost nil. Chances are less than 5% of what happens elsewhere in the country. In most of India, the possibility of droughts and floods ranges from 50% to 80%. Thus, the risk factor due to natural calamity is less/nil in the Punjab. This coupled with regular water supply from the canals and bore wells, free electricity, subsidized fertilisers and seeds et al, raise their output and returns to about one and a half to two times more compared to that of other States. However, that is never likely to be more than three times in any case. Now, until and unless someone gets an harvest of 15 to 20 times or more than what we get, which will be outlandish even to imagine, it is impossible to become as rich as these so-called farmers from the Punjab appear to be looking at the wealth and affluence at display or is being flaunted by them.

At this stage, it is pertinent to ponder over as to why the Punjab farmers are getting the lion's share of the MSP (Minimum Support Price) and other benefits of agricultural doles and subsidies? Well, post-Independence, one of India's major crises was food shortage. Suffice to mention here that it was a sort of alms — called PL480 — doled out to us by the USA in terms of food grains on which we survived. Hence, there was an urgent need to achieve food self sufficiency. So the 'Green Revolution', that we used to hear so much about in our school days, was launched in the mid sixties. New modern methods, technologies and equipments, high-yielding seeds, multi cropping, use of fertilizers, pesticides etc were being experimented, tried and introduced at a rapid pace and at a massive scale all over India.

In the pre-Independence era, the canal-irrigated agricultural lands in India were basically in the Punjab. Most of these went to Pakistan after the partition. But soon, the construction and completion of new canal systems like the 'Bhakra Nangal Dam Multipurpose Project' (1963), Rajasthan/Indira Gandhi Canal (the final phase completed in 2010), and others covering also parts of Haryana and Rajasthan converted large, otherwise semi-desert and arid areas in these States into fertile agricultural lands. As brought out earlier here, the risk of natural calamities like floods and droughts were minimum. The possibility of better and assured output in these States, naturally attracted more attention and thus rendered more thrust to the 'Green Revolution'. These factors coupled with a comparatively thinner population in these States soon made them food surplus. Thus, the proliferation of a well-oiled procurement system and more impetus on everything connected to the 'Green Revolution' especially in the Punjab and Haryana became the norm.

However, soon other States also caught up and started becoming nearly self-sufficient in food grains — needing very little to import. But it is alleged that with a better understanding and a tight grip on the procurement system and backed by the reputation of being the granary of the country, these States were not ready to yield or part with the undue advantage they were enjoying in the procurement share to the other States. They literally started blackmailing the rest of the country emotionally for their selfish and partisan considerations.

Due to political compulsions and constraints, for the last several decades, no government dared to disturb this status quo. Implying, though that the other States were not buying or importing as much food grains from them as was done earlier. However, the government agencies continued to buy their produce from them. The FCI (Food Corporation of India) was still forced to buy the grains and let them rot year after year. What a criminal waste! This is supposed to have led to the rise of a massive corruption racket. There was a colossal amount of surplus grain sans little, limited or no storage facility. Hence rot, decay, waste and associated logistics nightmare and writing-off the decayed grains became an unavoidable economic burden.

These agencies, it is claimed, would keep the old grains in storage or godowns and sell most of the fresh grains nefariously. Then, when the old stock of the grain rots still further, write them off and sell them at nominal rates to breweries to make alcohol and liquor. The joke or tricks-of-the trade is that the same set of people are the purported farmers, the Arhtias, the landlords, farm union leaders a few politicians, the godown owners and also the owners of breweries. To top it all, now they are also masquerading as the "Poor Farmers"! No wonder these fake farmers are so rich, influential and powerful!

So, many claim that the farmers' problems or issues raised by these agitators is just a hoax. Those actually involved in farming are very poor. Over 80% of them are heavily mired in debt. Many commit suicide regularly. At least that's what is on official records, even in these States too. That, by the way, is also exactly the reason as to why they had been agitating and demanding for these very measures from the earlier governments which are now included in the Farm Act by the present Government. These were, of course, promised since long even by the Opposition, especially the Congress throughout the last several decades.

Then there are those who accuse the government of not following proper democratic process and norms while passing the 'Farm Bill'. One wonders after all these exercises and continuous discussions, debates for at least the last two or more decades in the media and also the recommendations of the same clauses by the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Agriculture, comprising members from all relevant parties, in December 2019 and passing the Bill in both Houses of the Parliament, what more Democratic Process was required? Was the aim of all these processes and exercises, for them, only to fool the farmers and the public and continue fooling them ad infinitum?

The public perception is that the vulgar display of wealth and luxury by the so-called farmers has little to do with incomes from farm produce. It is purely from the manipulation and misappropriation of the grants for agriculture in the form of doles, subsidies and procurement by the Central Government. Fingers are also pointed towards "Tax Evasion" of their nefarious earnings or incomes from other businesses and then claiming those to be "Agricultural Income". In fact, the inclusion of the PAN Card numbers in the transactions or sale of farm produce is perhaps the most damaging and vexing issue for these supposedly fake farmers. But that they can't and hence won't say. They are now also suspected of being funded by organizations and agencies from abroad inimical to India's interests as well as not congenial to the present government at the Centre. The spoils are allegedly shared mutually by the Arhtiyas (the middlemen), the big or rich farmers, experts, bureaucrats, absentee landlords and, of course, a section of the politicians.

Analyzing one of the major accusations against the Farm Act, one is constrained to perceive, it is embarrassingly parochial and dirty politics. In reality, it appears to be a narrative or a conspiracy by some politicians trying to regain relevance and come back to power — just an extension of the same repeated stories of Anti-CAA, Tuke Tukde Gang, Naxals et al. One can keep adding to the unending list. Otherwise why should there be sloganeering for these issues and also for Khalistan, Article 370 and such anti India rhetoric and flexing of muscles in the "Farmers Agitation" which is claimed to be peaceful? Moreover, they are unable to clarify why these very same people, the so-called Farmers, the Farmers' Union leaders, the economic experts and the politicians agitating now, were requesting, demanding, advocating and promising the same clauses, for the last several decades, that have been included in the Farm Act? Having said the above, no one can claim that the Farm Act is perfect. Nothing can be perfect; and, there would always be room for improvement. So anybody having any objection should appeal to the government to look into and address those issues and not the farcical issues being raised by them. Some experts who are honest and concerned are raising or drawing attention to certain real issues which perhaps are worth considering if those have not been adequately addressed in the Farm Act. Some that comes to mind are listed below.

It is being brought to notice that during the 'Green Revolution', the farmers had switched to the combo formula of high yield seeds-fertilizers-pesticide-water from the traditional farming methods. Eventually, long-time use of these agric practices caused unforeseen miseries for the same farmers. These issues are also the main causes for worry; but, no one is ready or interested to address them.

High or excessive uses of pesticides and fertilizers have made the farm lands, the underground water and the environment toxic. Many claim that the crops produced in the Punjab are not safe or fit for consumption due to the excessive toxic content. In fact most Punjabis, who can afford, buy their wheat and rice which are imported from other States. There are reports that those who consume the local grains are being affected by various diseases.

Cancer is quite a common ailment in the hinterlands of the rural Punjab — so much so that a train running daily between Bhatinda in the Punjab and Bikaner in Rajasthan has earned the sobriquet "Cancer Train", because it is crowded with cancer patients and their attendants who go to Bikaner for treatment. I shall not dwell more on it here.

Then because of the unhindered draining out of ground water from the bore wells, the ground water level in the Punjab is being adversely affected. The consequences are obvious.

On the other hand, agricultural land is exorbitantly priced high (in the State). This is also because of this undue nefarious income from agricultural land so that the investors for industry and other commercial purposes find it economically unviable to buy land and set up industry or business there. This is adversely affecting investment and by extension the economy, the developmental activities and consequently the employment opportunities for its youth.

Soon a day may come when agricultural activities will have to be restricted in the Punjab due to health and environmental concerns (already discussed). That will be the other extreme by which time this opportunity for nefarious agricultural income will also cease to exist. But by then, the industrial-cum-commercial activities will be lagging too far behind to cope up with the lost opportunities. It will be like their chickens coming home to roost. Then they would not be ready to yield their agricultural advantage because the other States will be reluctant to forego their industrial and other commercial advantages. This certainly is not a bright prospect for the Punjab!

There is an attempt to create a false perception that the Punjab farmers are the so-called "Anna Datas" (food providers) for India. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, in the early days of the 'Green Revolution', the Punjab did partially make up for the food shortages. But that was only fractionally. The bulk of the shortage was still made through the PL480 by the USA.

However in the meantime, most of the other States became not only self sufficient but food surplus. It is from some of these States like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from where the Punjabis, who are aware of the health hazards and can afford, get their quality wheat and rice for their own consumption – and this is because their home products are unfit or unsafe for consumption. Against this ominous backdrop, how can they claim to be the 'Anna Data' of the country?

Another falsehood propagated by the agitators is the emotional exploitation of the slogans like "Jai Jawan Jai Kishan!" Let's now analyze as to how the Punjab contributes the most for both.

Being an ex-Army man, I agree that one feels proud and nice to be acknowledged, appreciated and applauded. But it is embarrassing if it is stressed to the extreme and exploited for nefarious emotional blackmailing taking undue advantage. The reality is that as the food issue (as discussed already), even in the case of the Armed Forces, the other States and communities have never been behind the Punjabis. In fact,,the number of Punjabis joining the Defence Forces are comparatively lesser these days. This, of course, is due to a number of other political, economical and policy-driven factors.

Finally, let's be honest. The hardship and sacrifices by people engaged in any calling should be appreciated and given due importance. By trying to highlight that only the Armed Force personnel are 'Patriots' and the 'Farmers' are 'Anna Datas' is demeaning not only to others but for ourselves more. It also makes us the objects of ridicule. Putting a price at our honesty, integrity and sacrifice and emotionally blackmailing for compensation! A policeman or the personnel of PMFs undergo the same, if not more, hardships and risks as the Army men. What about the hardships and risks faced by the high-rise construction workers or a line man in the electricity board?

For me, a labourer in a factory is the 'Actual Anna Data' for his family. He pays for what his family eats. A sewage cleaner or a manual scavenger does what he does against his will and against all odds, indignity, even social discrimination and above all facing severe risks to his life thus saving us from that risk, severe health hazards and inconvenience just to earn a few pieces of bread/bowls of rice for himself and his family. Then I – as a farmer-cum-soldier, I'm both; and I want to deny him his honour, self respect and dignity by claiming I am his 'Anna Data' and 'Saviour'? I am afraid I would not feel uncomfortable doing so!

Having discussed various issues and factors, one feels that it is high time the Farmers' Agitation was brought to an end. The government should endeavour to understand the issues raised by the agitating farmers. The agitators should realize that while they have all the democratic rights to protest, they have no business to put other citizens' lives at inconvenience; and by doing so they are only alienating themselves from others which is evident from the waning support for them. Blocking of the NCR (National Capital Region) and the repeated law-and-order situations caused by them including the recent Lakhimpur-Kheri violent incident in UP, I am afraid, have not only added to their glory in any manner. The agitators and the government must sit-down together and work out an amicable solution to the satisfaction of all concerned and especially keeping the interests and welfare of the really poor farmers.