In the Pusa Kisan Mela, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar revealed that why the government is not repealing the new agricultural laws. He said that these laws are very important for farmers and the overall growth of farmers and the farming sector in India. He said, "at the time of independence, agriculture used to be about half of the country’s GDP, and presently it has reduced very much."
"And the biggest reason for this is that in other sectors many changes are made from time to time, new laws are formed as per the need of time and private capital was cleared for them. But, when looking at the agriculture sector, there is no change in this sector over time, and this became the main reason that it lagged behind other sectors."
Government is Continuously Working for the Betterment of Farmers
While addressing the farmers in PusaKisanMela, Tomar asked the farmers that if the government is trying to change the situation of farmers and trying to develop the agriculture sector in India, should there be such farmer movements in such a situation?
Agriculture Minister mentioned that in the present condition, around 86% percent of the country’s farmers owe less than 2 hectares of land, and that too with not any major investment. So, farmers don’t get any benefit, their cultivation is drowned in debt and the deals remain in loss. And disappointed with the situation, next generation of farmers are quitting farming and moving to cities with the expectation of new jobs.
But, what if their farming could be made a profitable deal? This migration could stop and farmers will be able to earn better in the farming sector only. And this is what the government is trying to do with the new agricultural laws.
Along with this, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Government wants to create a model where farmers can sell their crops wherever they want to. And, get the reasonable price of crops, and that too as per their convenience whether inside or outside the market.
And there is no compromise of land anywhere in this. Even after all these advantages and steps to improve farmers’ conditions and the situation of the farming sector in India, continuous efforts are being made to provoke the farmers.
Mixed Response from the Farmers of Different Regions
It is worth mentioning that in spite of the farmers’ movement in some regions of the country, there are many farmers who are in the favour of these laws. The government is constantly working to change the situation of farmers. The agricultural budget has been increased by more than three times, and not only this, government is also giving cash assistance to the farmers.
But despite of all this, while addressing the farmers in the Pusa Kisan Mela, Agriculture Minister didn’t mention anything about the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the biggest demand of farmers, in his entire speech. Ministers are repeatedly saying that the MSP will not be abolished, but has not given any written document regarding this and not added it in the new laws.
