Union Sports Ministry passed a resolution last year to transfer "Sports" from State List to Concurrent list. Reason for the same was to enhance India's position in sports globally especially in Olympics as India performed poor in 2016 Olympics and failed miserably. Despite drafting the resolution, the ministry could not present a solid action plan. That is,however,a different matter altogether.The point is why this government doesn't think in a similar manner when it comes to Agriculture?
India has witnessed four droughts in past six years. In 2014, at least 5600 farmers have committed suicide.Between 1995 and 2014, 296,438 farmers have killed themselves. Also, Deficient rainfall has reduced food grain production significantly. These figures are enough to prove that India is going through a severe agrarian distress.
One thing is clear that State governments,primarily, are responsible for this extreme situation since Agriculture is a State subject.Despite making laws,establishing APMCs,claiming to be farmer-friendly government, the ground reality is that farmers are dumping potatoes on roads,living a debt-ridden life and ultimately committing suicide.States usually blame Center for not transferring funds and playing party politics.Center,on the other hand, put forward the argument that states have not utilized the funds and the blame-game goes on.
The problem is that government's mindset towards agriculture is fallacious.Production remains the only parameter to measure agriculture growth. Improving productivity remains the only solution to double farmers income. Punjab is having one of the highest productivity in the world but farmers are still committing suicide there. As long as this methodology exists, doubling their income will merely remain a dream.The way input cost is growing and selling price is going down because of some obvious reasons, the income,on a contrast, is going to be halved by 2022.
Also, policy formulation is done without consulting farmers, food policy analysts and agriculturists. In that case, scheme does not perform well. Prdhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, for example, is helping insurance companies to make huge profits. The scheme, in fact, seems to be made for welfare of insurance companies not farmers. The policy has been framed in collaboration with the insurance companies in such a way that unit is entire group and not an individual farmer.Consequently, many farmers are not getting compensation despite a premium cut. In some cases premiums are deducted from account without farmer's knowledge. Further, states have included sugarcane in this scheme which does not require an insurance.
The government of the day needs to understand that the Industry-oriented growth-model being followed is going to take nowhere if agriculture is ignored..Economists argue that since agriculture accounts for less than 17% of the GDP,achieving growth won't be a problem. But this thinking is disastrous,not just for the agriculture sector but the economy as a whole.
No doubt government has tried to bring technology to the farm by means of various initiatives and schemes but when it comes to agriculture research, India does not even spend 1% of its GDP on agriculture research and development.
Formulating a National Agriculture Policy,therefore, becomes a need in this alarming situation. Cooperation between the center and state is also required to stop the blame-game. For that to happen, transferring "Agriculture" from State List to Concurrent List is required.It will prevent both center and state from running away from their responsibilities.
What Needs To Change In Our Agricultural Policies To Stop Farmer Suicides
India has witnessed four droughts in past six years. In 2014, at least 5600 farmers have committed suicide.Between 1995 and 2014, 296,438 farmers have killed themselves. Also, Deficient rainfall has reduced food grain production significantly. These figures are enough to prove that India is going through a severe agrarian distress.
One thing is clear that State governments,primarily, are responsible for this extreme situation since Agriculture is a State subject.Despite making laws,establishing APMCs,claiming to be farmer-friendly government, the ground reality is that farmers are dumping potatoes on roads,living a debt-ridden life and ultimately committing suicide.States usually blame Center for not transferring funds and playing party politics.Center,on the other hand, put forward the argument that states have not utilized the funds and the blame-game goes on.
The problem is that government's mindset towards agriculture is fallacious.Production remains the only parameter to measure agriculture growth. Improving productivity remains the only solution to double farmers income. Punjab is having one of the highest productivity in the world but farmers are still committing suicide there. As long as this methodology exists, doubling their income will merely remain a dream.The way input cost is growing and selling price is going down because of some obvious reasons, the income,on a contrast, is going to be halved by 2022.
Also, policy formulation is done without consulting farmers, food policy analysts and agriculturists. In that case, scheme does not perform well. Prdhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, for example, is helping insurance companies to make huge profits. The scheme, in fact, seems to be made for welfare of insurance companies not farmers. The policy has been framed in collaboration with the insurance companies in such a way that unit is entire group and not an individual farmer.Consequently, many farmers are not getting compensation despite a premium cut. In some cases premiums are deducted from account without farmer's knowledge. Further, states have included sugarcane in this scheme which does not require an insurance.
The government of the day needs to understand that the Industry-oriented growth-model being followed is going to take nowhere if agriculture is ignored..Economists argue that since agriculture accounts for less than 17% of the GDP,achieving growth won't be a problem. But this thinking is disastrous,not just for the agriculture sector but the economy as a whole.
Formulating a National Agriculture Policy,therefore, becomes a need in this alarming situation. Cooperation between the center and state is also required to stop the blame-game. For that to happen, transferring "Agriculture" from State List to Concurrent List is required.It will prevent both center and state from running away from their responsibilities.
What Needs To Change In Our Agricultural Policies To Stop Farmer Suicides
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