Farm Reform laws are going to help farmers and support Indian agriculture.
Farmer’s income and production will improve, deliberated Shri P K Swain,
Joint Secretary, Marketing and Agriculture. Marketing Advisor, Min of
Agriculture, Government of India in Virtual Meeting of Stakeholders on Farm
Reform Laws – Submission of Joint Comments to SC Committee organized by PHD
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Shri P K Swain mentioned that we need to improve our exports, processing and
ensure that there is a continuous increase in the income of farmers. The
market needs to increase its capacity and APMC needs to reorient themselves
as a service provider role so that they are increasing the existing volume
by providing additional services that will benefit the farmers and the cost
is minimized.
Shri Vijay Sardana, Advocate High Court and Agriculture Policy Expert while
giving major highlights of the new laws mentioned that these reforms are in
the favor of increasing farmer’s income, reducing exploitation and middlemen
interferences.
Talking about the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and
Facilitation) Act, 2020, he mentioned this reform permits inter-state trade
movement of farmers’ produce beyond the physical premises of APMC markets
and other markets notified under the state APMC Acts. It will also lead to
direct and online buying and selling of agricultural produce. As per the
Act, the State Governments are prohibited from levying any market fee on
farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trading farmers’
produce in an ‘outside trade area. He further said that SDM has been
empowered to provide solution in case of disputes. This will take off the
load of litigation on the courts.
While giving an overview about the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection)
Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, he mentioned that
this act creates a national framework for contract farming through an
agreement between a farmer and buyer before the production of any farm
produce. Provisions have been made for Risk Mitigation. The third amendment
is the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, as per this amendment,
the Government of India regulates the production, supply, and distribution
of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ to make them
available to consumers at fair prices. He clarified that the law will not
lead to hoarding by big businesses as is being perceived.
Mr. Pradeep Multani, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and
Industry deliberated about the importance of the agriculture sector for the
development of the economy. He mentioned that the Agriculture or the Farm
Reform laws that have been adopted have the best of intentions for improving
the farmers’ rights and enhancing their remuneration. However, the level of
farmers’ agitation had led the Honorable Supreme Court to form a committee
of experts to make recommendations and submit the report to the Supreme
Court, the committee has adopted the democratic way of seeking inputs from
all stakeholders.
Mr. Multani further mentioned that PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry
stands in complete solidarity with the government and pledges to extend
wholehearted support, in whatever means required and possible, this is our
way of contributing to the process of policy formulation.
Mr. Pradeep Multani highlighted that farmers under the guidance of the
scientists that have made it possible for us to be an exporter of food from
a situation of scanty in the 1950s and 60s. India has a definite advantage
in agriculture production and with little scientific and technological
intervention, we also have the potential to be the global food hub as there
still exists under-utilized capacities in agriculture productivity.
Mr. Nand Kishor Aggarwal, Chairman, Agriculture Committee, PHD Chamber of
Commerce and Industry while sharing his industry perspective mentioned that
there is a need to put forward facts and figures to understand the situation
of farmers and accordingly formulate laws for their betterment. The industry
stakeholders need to take responsibility to write to a committee made by
Supreme Court to support them and, the reforms created are in the interest
of the farmers. He appreciated the reforms and measures undertaken by the
government towards the betterment of the farmers and increasing their
income.
The meeting was moderated by Mr Mallika Verma, Director, Agriculture, PhD
Chamber, and was attended by many industry stalwarts pan-India.