# data[].attributes.body
Maya

The newest wave of the farmers protest in India are an extension of the conflicts surrounding the previous protest. Issues of inequality debt and more continue to affect farmers from Punjab. Haryana and uttar Pradesh.

The farmers are protesting for a 50% increase in the Minimum Support Price to further supplement the production of rice and wheat. However, economists are concerned about the long-term ramifications of the Minimum Support Price. A further increase could lead to further food inflation which is already a rising problem in India. Moreover, it encourages the overproduction of rice. This may increase India's problems with crop burning and lead to environmental issues

How can governments implement welfare programs for India's farmers without sacrificing the stability of the economy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Farmers Are Marching Toward Delhi Again

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This time they want a stronger guarantee that they can make money selling their wheat and rice crops.

# data[].attributes.body
Jérémy

2) india's economic development has led to a reduction in agricultural prices, which in turn has lowered farmers' incomes. there is also a demand to end indirect taxes on farmers. Several requests to increase the minimum support price (MSP) have been made, but nothing has been achieved.

3) who will be the first victims if agricultural prices are raised ?

4) https://www.livemint.com/news/india/farmers-protest-2-0-how-delhi-chalo-march-is-different-from-the-2020-agitation-explained-in-5-points-11707707903159.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Farmers Protest 2.0 is in motion, this time called 'Delhi Chalo'. Nearly after two years, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with over 200 unions heading, are marching towards Delhi today after inconclusive talks with Union ministers on Monday. Farmer leaders said there is still a lack of clarity on legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP).

In 2020, farmers protested against three laws at Delhi borders, leading to their repeal in 2021. These laws were -- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

The Delhi Chalo march is scheduled to start at 10 am. However, the Haryana government has put up fencing around the state in a bid to prevent a repeat of the 2020-21 protests.

Farmer's Protest 2.0 vs 2020 agitation

1) In 2020, the farmers protested against the three farm laws which were repealed by the central government after one year in 2021. Now, the Delhi Chalo protest is being staged to demand a legal guarantee to MSP for all crops, full debt waiver for farmers, pension for farmers, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's formula, and withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020 protest.

2) The 2020 protest was led by Bhartiya Kisan Union, and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, while the Delhi Chalo protest is being spearheaded by different unions because the landscape of farmers' unions has changed over the years. This time, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced farmers' protest 2.0.

3) Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni were two prominent leaders of farmers' protest in 2020. However, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of SKM (non-political), and Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of Sarwan Singh Pandher are at the forefront of Delhi Chalo 2.0.

4) Last time, the Government of India accepted the farmers' demand to withdraw all cases against the protesters registered during the 2020 agitation. However, there was no legal guarantee of MSP. This time, the Centre has already started the negotiation process even before the Delhi Chalo commencement today. The first meeting between the farmer leaders and the Union ministers took place on February 8, while the second happened on February 12.

5) Farmers were allowed to enter the nation's capital in 2020, but this time around the administration has implemented stringent preventative measures. There are barbed wire, cement barricades, and nails on the roads; all access to Delhi is restricted. Delhi has implemented Section 144. The Haryana government closed its borders with Punjab.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed - it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Topics You May Be Interested In

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers' Protest 2.0: How it is different from 2020-21 demonstration?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Protest 2.0: Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are marching towards Delhi in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, demanding legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP).

# data[].attributes.body
Pieter

notes

the farmers’ central demand concerns something called the minimum support price, or M.S.P. They want it to be increased, adding a 50 percent premium to whatever it costs them to produce wheat and rice.

The M.S.P. should act as a form of social insurance, by sparing the majority of India’s population, which still depends on farming incomes, from the volatility that comes with changing weather patterns and internationally set grain prices.

Economists often criticize the MSP because it can lead to inefficiencies and market distortions. For example, if the MSP is set too high, it can lead to overproduction and a surplus of the commodity, which can be costly for the government to store and dispose of. Additionally, the MSP can discourage farmers from adopting new technologies and practices that could increase their productivity and efficiency.

Questions

what has changed since the last time and why did the government not account for the changes if the las protests were so recent?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Farmers Are Marching Toward Delhi Again

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This time they want a stronger guarantee that they can make money selling their wheat and rice crops.

# data[].attributes.body
LUKE

2) the second farmers protest is happening because farmers are demanding a minimum value for their crops. They want to see a price floor, so that their livelihoods are protected by the government. They have made this clear through protesting, with over 10,000 of them protesting daily. Their actions have been met with a hostile police response, including fighting and tear gas.

3) why does the government not want to give farmers a minimum wage?

4)https://www.reuters.com/world/india/why-indian-farmers-are-marching-protest-capital-2024-02-13/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g4BJIu0a6Q

5) Ok!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Indian police fired teargas on Tuesday to scatter hundreds of farmers and supporters on a protest march to the capital New Delhi to demand better prices for their produce.

The latest round of farmer protests comes just months before the next general election in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to win his third term in office.

Still, his government wants to avoid any major confrontation with farmers who may not always vote as one bloc but still enjoy sizeable influence in the countryside where most Indians live.

Modi's administration also aims to prevent a repeat of a year-long protest in 2020-21 when growers forced the government to repeal laws designed to deregulate vast agricultural markets.

WHY ARE FARMERS PROTESTING?

Farm union leaders are seeking guarantees, backed by law, of more state support or a minimum purchase price for crops.

The government announces support prices for more than 20 crops each year to set a benchmark, but state agencies buy only rice and wheat at the support level, benefiting around just 7% of farmers who raise those crops.

State agencies buy the two staples at government-fixed minimum support prices to build reserves to run the world's biggest food welfare programme that entitles 800 million Indians to free rice and wheat. This costs the government $24.7 billion annually - its largest outgoing subsidy.

In 2021, when Modi's administration repealed the farm laws after India's longest farmers' protest in years, the government said it would set up a panel of growers and government officials to find ways to ensure support prices for all produce. Farmers accuse the government of going slow in fulfilling that promise.

Farm policy experts argue that buying all farm produce at state-set minimum support prices is economically unviable.

India's farmer protests coincide with similar demonstrations by their counterparts in Europe, but, other than rising costs of cultivation, the concerns raised by European and Indian farmers are different.

While Europe's farmers are protesting the European Union's drive to fight climate change, among other issues, Indian growers are more focused on state-set assured prices for their crops.

DO FARMERS HAVE OTHER DEMANDS?

They also want the government to honour a promise to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.

In 2016 Modi's government pledged to step up investment in rural development, aiming to double farmer incomes by 2022.

Farmers also insist that the government ensure at a least 50% profit over their overall cost of production.

They have further asked the government take action against a federal minister whose son was arrested during the 2021 protest on accusations he ran over and killed four protesting farmers.

HOW LONG CAN FARMERS SUSTAIN PROTESTS AND WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT OFFER?

Farmers have time on their side and are in no hurry to head back to the countryside to gather their crops. The new season wheat crop will be ready for harvest only a month from now.

Since 2021, Indian farmers have become adept at reinforcing and maintaining protest tent camps along highways while still bringing their crops to harvest.

To placate protesters, the government might agree to provide them a bonus over and above the minimum support price for 2024. It has fixed this year's minimum support price for wheat at 2,275 rupees ($27.41) per 100 kg, 7% higher than in 2023.

Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj and Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Jan Harvey

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why are Indian farmers protesting again? Demands for government explained

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Indian police fired teargas on Tuesday to scatter hundreds of farmers and supporters on a protest march to the capital New Delhi to demand better prices for their produce.

# data[].attributes.body
Jiwon

2)

Demands of the farmers' protest 2.0

legal guarantee to MSP for all crops

full debt waiver for farmers

pension for farmers - Rs 10,000 a month for every farmer above 60 years of age

implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's formula

withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020 protest

stronger action against the accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and grant of land in Delhi for a memorial for the "martyrs" of the earlier farmers' protest

Government's concerns

global prices

pressure on the government for procurement

export competitiveness

central expenditure.

3)

How would the implementation of the demands of the farmer affect the living standards of India?

What are some potential negative outcomes of the government implementing the demands of the farmers in the long run? Would it impact the environment or income inequality?

4)

https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/farm-protest-punjab-noida-delhi-kmm-skm-9161653/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/farmers-protest-2-0-what-do-they-want-what-is-their-strategy/articleshow/107623281.cms?from=mdr

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/farmers-protest-2-0-how-delhi-chalo-march-is-different-from-the-2020-agitation-explained-in-5-points-11707707903159.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Farmers Protest 2.0 is in motion, this time called 'Delhi Chalo'. Nearly after two years, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with over 200 unions heading, are marching towards Delhi today after inconclusive talks with Union ministers on Monday. Farmer leaders said there is still a lack of clarity on legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP).

In 2020, farmers protested against three laws at Delhi borders, leading to their repeal in 2021. These laws were -- The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

The Delhi Chalo march is scheduled to start at 10 am. However, the Haryana government has put up fencing around the state in a bid to prevent a repeat of the 2020-21 protests.

Farmer's Protest 2.0 vs 2020 agitation

1) In 2020, the farmers protested against the three farm laws which were repealed by the central government after one year in 2021. Now, the Delhi Chalo protest is being staged to demand a legal guarantee to MSP for all crops, full debt waiver for farmers, pension for farmers, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's formula, and withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020 protest.

2) The 2020 protest was led by Bhartiya Kisan Union, and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, while the Delhi Chalo protest is being spearheaded by different unions because the landscape of farmers' unions has changed over the years. This time, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced farmers' protest 2.0.

3) Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni were two prominent leaders of farmers' protest in 2020. However, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of SKM (non-political), and Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of Sarwan Singh Pandher are at the forefront of Delhi Chalo 2.0.

4) Last time, the Government of India accepted the farmers' demand to withdraw all cases against the protesters registered during the 2020 agitation. However, there was no legal guarantee of MSP. This time, the Centre has already started the negotiation process even before the Delhi Chalo commencement today. The first meeting between the farmer leaders and the Union ministers took place on February 8, while the second happened on February 12.

5) Farmers were allowed to enter the nation's capital in 2020, but this time around the administration has implemented stringent preventative measures. There are barbed wire, cement barricades, and nails on the roads; all access to Delhi is restricted. Delhi has implemented Section 144. The Haryana government closed its borders with Punjab.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed - it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Topics You May Be Interested In

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers' Protest 2.0: How it is different from 2020-21 demonstration?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Protest 2.0: Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh are marching towards Delhi in the 'Delhi Chalo' protest, demanding legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP).

# data[].attributes.body
LAURA

2) -Farmers are calling for a legal Minimum Purchase Price guarantee to secure stable, remunerative prices for their produce.

-Impact on government spending and TAX POLICY : the potential tax implications of a legal guarantee of the MAP could put pressure on public finances and influence tax policy decisions.

-MARKET DYNAMICS AND GLOBAL TRADE: Farmers reject market UNCERTAINTY and demand protection against global trade dynamics that could put them at a disadvantage.

-( growth ) Farmers' demands include social welfare measures, public infrastructure...

-( Statement )The political and electoral repercussions of the protests reflect the complexity of the interaction between economic, political and social dynamics.

3) How can the government reconcile the economic demands of farmers?

4)https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/farmers-protest-2-0-what-do-they-want-what-is-their-strategy/articleshow/107623281.cms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Reuters
Farmers climb a police barricade during a protest (Reuters)

Farmers Protest 2.0 is in motion. Nearly two years after farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh laid siege to Delhi to protest against three farm laws, farmers are again marching to Delhi on February 13. Expecting another siege of Delhi, the police in Haryana as well as Delhi have put in place massive security arrangements and sealed borders between Punjab and Haryana and Haryana and Delhi to deter farmers from entering the national capital.
Also Read: Section 144 imposed in Delhi ahead of farmers' planned February 13 march

Unlike the last time when the main demand was to repeal the farm laws which the government had accepted after nearly two years of protests, this time the farmers are demanding a host of measures from the Central government which they say are required for the financial viability of farming.

Who are the protagonists?

In the earlier protests, almost all the farmer organisations in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, numbering more than 40, had come under the Sanyukt Kisa Morcha (SKM). This time a breakaway faction of that umbrella body is spearheading the protests. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) excludes major farmer leaders which had hogged the headlines last time such as Darshan Pal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Gurnam Singh Charuni.

SKM (non-political) includes BKU (Dallewal) led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha led by Sarvan Singh Pandher. It claims support of 17 farm organisations. Pandher and Dallewal from Punjab and Abhimanyu Kohar from Haryana have been the most visible faces of SKM (non-political) ahead of the February 13 Delhi Chalo march.

The bigger farmer leaders who had spearheaded the previous protests are in wait-and-watch mode while some like Rakesh Tikait have endorsed the call for Bharat Bandh on February 16. Cautious stance by the SKM leaders who have chosen to stay back indicates deep factionalism within farmer bodies.

This time little enthusiasm is shown by Khaps, the jat community organisations which had done massive mobilisation during earlier protests. However, khaps had sprung into action a little late last time after farmers mainly from Punjab initiated the protests and reached the Delhi borders.

What are the demands of protesting farmers?

The earlier protests were in response to the three farm laws brought by the government which promised remunerative prices to farmers by linking them to open markets thus aiming to achieve the government's objective to double farmer incomes. The protesting farmer, however, rejected the new laws, claiming they will put them at the mercy of private companies.

The main demand this time, which was also a part of nearly a dozen demands besides the repeal of farm laws during earlier protests, is legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all the crops.

The government sets the MSP for nearly two dozen commodities twice a year on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. Most of the crop procurement under MSP is from Punjab and Haryana and of mainly wheat and rice produce which supports the government's public distribution system. Farmers want a law that guarantees MSP on every crop. However, the government has multiple concerns over the demand for a legal guarantee such as global prices, pressure on the government for procurement, export competitiveness and central expenditure.

Another major demand is to implement the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee on agriculture. Swaminathan, an agro-scientist known as the father of the Green Revolution, has been honoured with Bharat Ratna recently. One of the main recommendations of the committee was to increase MSP to at least 50 per cent above the weighted average cost of production.

Also Read: MS Swaminathan: All you need to know about Bharat Ratna awardee & Father of Green Revolution

Other demands include better sugar cane prices, a pension of Rs 10,000 a month for every farmer above 60 years of age, stronger action against the accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and grant of land in Delhi for a memorial for the "martyrs" of the earlier farmers protest.

What is the strategy behind the farmers protest?

The earlier farmer protests saw huge mobilisation of lakhs of farmers, an emotionally charged atmosphere, rampant violence and massive economic loss to businesses and residents living in and around Delhi as well as disruption in transport of goods.

This time the mobilisation is lower as 25,000 farmers and 5,000 tractors are likely to be part of the march. But that could be the initial stage and more farmers and other farmer organisations might join once the protests build up and farmers reach the Delhi borders.

The government has quickly engaged with the farmers to deter them from their march to Delhi. Three Union ministers, Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai, and Arjun Munda, had gone to Chandigarh on Thursday last week to hold talks with the farmer leaders. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had mediated between the Centre government and the farmer leaders. Another meeting is scheduled for today evening in Chandigarh. The government has said it is talking to the farmers with an open mind.

SKM (non-political), the umbrella body leading the protests this time, has said the talks with the Centre government will go on but the Delhi Chalo march will not be put off.

Even as farmer organisations are riven with factionalism, Khaps, the jat community organisations, have yet to warm up to the protests. Reportedly, two khaps have appealed to the farmers to not lay a siege to Delhi and talk to the government instead. A khap leader in Sonepat spoke of the massive losses and inconvenience faced by the people of border districts of Haryana during the earlier protests that led to closure of a large number of businesses and industry.
Also read: All roads to Delhi sealed ahead of farmers protest at UP Gate, Singhu, Tikri
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

These factors indicate the farmer protests may be lukewarm this time. They may not be as protracted as the last time given the low participation, harvest season coming up in months and the Lok Sabha elections due to which farmers might have to return to villages. However, an initial low-level protest can turn into a full-blown protest months later when more farmers join in and bigger leaders such as Tikait, Ugrahan and Rajewal also jump in. A lot also depends on the Centre's outreach and security strategy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers protest 2.0: What do they want? What is their strategy?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Protest 2.0 is underway as farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh march towards Delhi on February 13. Unlike the previous protests, this time the farmers are demanding a range of measures from the Central government to ensure the financial viability of farming.

# data[].attributes.body
MELCHI

2) Farmers in Dehli are protesting against the government for a Minimum Support Price for crops which is a price floor. During excess supply, the government's ability to meet the farmers' needs are questionable. Farmers are also demanding compensation for the Union Minster Ajay Mishra's hit and run case of 4 protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. Farmers have specifically asked for financial compensation of deceased farmers from previous conflicts which can trigger certain socio-economic conflicts. Additionally, farmers have requested India's alliance with the WTO to be withdrawn which can have implications on trade relationships.

3) How have deaths during protests and the ever-existing demand for crops shaped the bargaining power of farmers to establish an MSP?

4)https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/farmers-protest-jams-ease-not-anxiety-at-fortified-borders/articleshow/107705130.cms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NEW DELHI: Farmers from primarily from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are embarking on a march towards Delhi on Tuesday to put pressure on the government into accepting their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha declared that farmers will proceed to Delhi on Tuesday after the meeting between the farmer union leaders and the government talks failed to reach a concensus.

Also Read: Farmer Protest Live Updates
The farmers' demands encompass a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, withdrawal from the World Trade Organization, and compensation for families of deceased farmers from the previous protest, among other issues.

To deter the planned march, authorities in Haryana have reinforced the state's borders with Punjab in Ambala, Jind, Fatehabad, Kurukshetra, and Sirsa, employing concrete blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire. Additionally, the Haryana government has invoked Section 144 of the CrPC in 15 districts, forbidding gatherings of five or more people and prohibiting demonstrations or marches involving tractor trolleys.

"Govt did not have any proposal..." Gen Secy of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Committee on farmers' demands

Law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops

One of the key demands of protesting farmers has been MSP which is the price at which the government purchases crops from the farmers, providing them with assured income for their produce. This price acts as a safety net for farmers, ensuring they receive a fair price for their crops, particularly during times of market fluctuations or when market prices fall below the MSP. Govt's MSP assurance was one of the conditions on which farmer groups had withdrawn their year-long agitation on the borders of Delhi in 2020-21.

Compensation for farmers killed in Lakhimpur Kheri

The farmers are demanding strict action against those responsible for the violence that occurred in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, 2021, when four protesting farmers died after being run over by a vehicle. Ashish Mishra, son of Union minister Ajay Mishra, is identified as the main accused in this case.

The farmers are demanding withdrawal of cases against protesters involved in the long-lasting farmers' movement in 2020-21.

Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act 2013

The protesting farmers seek compensation for land acquired by various authorities for developmental projects. They are also advocating for the reservation of 10 percent of residential plots on developed lands for their families.
Farmers contend that the current compensation rates are inadequate and leave them landless. Specifically, they argue that the compensation they receive from authorities such as the Noida Authority, the Greater Noida Authority, and the Yamuna Authority - which typically ranges from 5 to 7 percent of the total acquired land - is insufficient. Additionally, they assert that they have suffered financial losses due to the acquisition of land at lower rates in previous years.

Withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation

The farmers have been demanding withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation as well as freezing of all trade agreements.

Compensation for families of deceased farmers from previous agitation

The farmers have also demanded from the government compensation for families of those who died during the protest, including a job for one family member.

"Unfortunate that Indian farmer is called anti-national" Gen Secy of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Committee

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Delhi Chalo 2.0: Farmers March Towards Delhi to Demand Minimum Support Price and More | India News - Times of India

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
India News: Farmers from all around the country are marching towards Delhi to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other key demands. Find out more about their demands and the ongoing protest.

# data[].attributes.body
KIKI

2)

Farmers Protest 2.0 is primal aimed at the government at abolishing the farmer laws besides ensuring minimum support price (MSP) for all crops. However, the government has many concerns regarding the demand for legal guarantees, including pressure on the government on world prices, export competitiveness, central spending, etc.

3)

・How does MSP affect farmers and consumers?

・How does ensuring MSP affect the export competitiveness of national agricultural products?

4)

https://globalnews.ca/news/7506676/india-farmer-protests-explained/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/farmers-protest-2-0-what-do-they-want-what-is-their-strategy/articleshow/107623281.cms?from=mdr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fARBrNrcey4

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers protest 2.0: What do they want? What is their strategy?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Protest 2.0 is underway as farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh march towards Delhi on February 13. Unlike the previous protests, this time the farmers are demanding a range of measures from the Central government to ensure the financial viability of farming. The protests are being spearheaded by a breakaway faction of the Sanyukt Kisa Morcha (SKM), excluding major farmer leaders from the previous protests. The demands include a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all crops and the implementation of the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee on agriculture.

# data[].attributes.body
GAANGEY

Farmers' Protest 2.0 in India is a new wave of demonstrations led by farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.

The primary demands include a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), better sugar cane prices, a pension of Rs 10,000 a month for every farmer above 60 years of age, stronger action against the accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and the grant of land in Delhi for a memorial for the "martyrs" of the earlier farmers' protest.

Economic implications:

Direct impact on agricultural sector, farmer livelihoods, and broader economy.

Ensuring fair prices and social security for farmers.

Political impact:

Protests occurring near national election, adding a political dimension to economic issues.

Farmers form an influential voting bloc, and parties try to gain their support.

Questions

What are the economic costs and benefits of providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce, and how might this impact the agricultural sector and farmer livelihoods?

What are the potential economic implications of transferring a fixed sum of money annually into farmers' bank accounts as income support, instead of providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP)?

-Gaangey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Reuters
Farmers climb a police barricade during a protest (Reuters)

Farmers Protest 2.0 is in motion. Nearly two years after farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh laid siege to Delhi to protest against three farm laws, farmers are again marching to Delhi on February 13. Expecting another siege of Delhi, the police in Haryana as well as Delhi have put in place massive security arrangements and sealed borders between Punjab and Haryana and Haryana and Delhi to deter farmers from entering the national capital.
Also Read: Section 144 imposed in Delhi ahead of farmers' planned February 13 march

Unlike the last time when the main demand was to repeal the farm laws which the government had accepted after nearly two years of protests, this time the farmers are demanding a host of measures from the Central government which they say are required for the financial viability of farming.

Who are the protagonists?

In the earlier protests, almost all the farmer organisations in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, numbering more than 40, had come under the Sanyukt Kisa Morcha (SKM). This time a breakaway faction of that umbrella body is spearheading the protests. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) excludes major farmer leaders which had hogged the headlines last time such as Darshan Pal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Gurnam Singh Charuni.

SKM (non-political) includes BKU (Dallewal) led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha led by Sarvan Singh Pandher. It claims support of 17 farm organisations. Pandher and Dallewal from Punjab and Abhimanyu Kohar from Haryana have been the most visible faces of SKM (non-political) ahead of the February 13 Delhi Chalo march.

The bigger farmer leaders who had spearheaded the previous protests are in wait-and-watch mode while some like Rakesh Tikait have endorsed the call for Bharat Bandh on February 16. Cautious stance by the SKM leaders who have chosen to stay back indicates deep factionalism within farmer bodies.

This time little enthusiasm is shown by Khaps, the jat community organisations which had done massive mobilisation during earlier protests. However, khaps had sprung into action a little late last time after farmers mainly from Punjab initiated the protests and reached the Delhi borders.

What are the demands of protesting farmers?

The earlier protests were in response to the three farm laws brought by the government which promised remunerative prices to farmers by linking them to open markets thus aiming to achieve the government's objective to double farmer incomes. The protesting farmer, however, rejected the new laws, claiming they will put them at the mercy of private companies.

The main demand this time, which was also a part of nearly a dozen demands besides the repeal of farm laws during earlier protests, is legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all the crops.

The government sets the MSP for nearly two dozen commodities twice a year on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. Most of the crop procurement under MSP is from Punjab and Haryana and of mainly wheat and rice produce which supports the government's public distribution system. Farmers want a law that guarantees MSP on every crop. However, the government has multiple concerns over the demand for a legal guarantee such as global prices, pressure on the government for procurement, export competitiveness and central expenditure.

Another major demand is to implement the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee on agriculture. Swaminathan, an agro-scientist known as the father of the Green Revolution, has been honoured with Bharat Ratna recently. One of the main recommendations of the committee was to increase MSP to at least 50 per cent above the weighted average cost of production.

Also Read: MS Swaminathan: All you need to know about Bharat Ratna awardee & Father of Green Revolution

Other demands include better sugar cane prices, a pension of Rs 10,000 a month for every farmer above 60 years of age, stronger action against the accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and grant of land in Delhi for a memorial for the "martyrs" of the earlier farmers protest.

What is the strategy behind the farmers protest?

The earlier farmer protests saw huge mobilisation of lakhs of farmers, an emotionally charged atmosphere, rampant violence and massive economic loss to businesses and residents living in and around Delhi as well as disruption in transport of goods.

This time the mobilisation is lower as 25,000 farmers and 5,000 tractors are likely to be part of the march. But that could be the initial stage and more farmers and other farmer organisations might join once the protests build up and farmers reach the Delhi borders.

The government has quickly engaged with the farmers to deter them from their march to Delhi. Three Union ministers, Piyush Goyal, Nityanand Rai, and Arjun Munda, had gone to Chandigarh on Thursday last week to hold talks with the farmer leaders. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had mediated between the Centre government and the farmer leaders. Another meeting is scheduled for today evening in Chandigarh. The government has said it is talking to the farmers with an open mind.

SKM (non-political), the umbrella body leading the protests this time, has said the talks with the Centre government will go on but the Delhi Chalo march will not be put off.

Even as farmer organisations are riven with factionalism, Khaps, the jat community organisations, have yet to warm up to the protests. Reportedly, two khaps have appealed to the farmers to not lay a siege to Delhi and talk to the government instead. A khap leader in Sonepat spoke of the massive losses and inconvenience faced by the people of border districts of Haryana during the earlier protests that led to closure of a large number of businesses and industry.
Also read: All roads to Delhi sealed ahead of farmers protest at UP Gate, Singhu, Tikri
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

These factors indicate the farmer protests may be lukewarm this time. They may not be as protracted as the last time given the low participation, harvest season coming up in months and the Lok Sabha elections due to which farmers might have to return to villages. However, an initial low-level protest can turn into a full-blown protest months later when more farmers join in and bigger leaders such as Tikait, Ugrahan and Rajewal also jump in. A lot also depends on the Centre's outreach and security strategy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Farmers protest 2.0: What do they want? What is their strategy?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Farmers Protest 2.0 is underway as farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh march towards Delhi on February 13. Unlike the previous protests, this time the farmers are demanding a range of measures from the Central government to ensure the financial viability of farming.

# data[].attributes.body
YUGO

2) The low-income level of the farmers leads to suicide and bad condition lives. Also, the new law considered by the central government may make the farmers poorer. These lead to nationwide protests by farmers.

3) Why is Farmar's income low even though there is a lot of demand from the vast population?

4) https://apnews.com/article/india-new-delhi-farmer-protests-e66832e9bf57a3f65b6833f1af8491ba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fARBrNrcey4

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/farmers-protest-2-0-what-do-they-want-what-is-their-strategy/articleshow/107623281.cms?from=mdr

Yugo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
NEW DELHI (AP) - Tens of thousands of Indian farmers are marching toward the capital to demand guaranteed crop prices, renewing a movement from two years ago that succeeded in getting the government to repeal contentious new agricultural laws.

On Tuesday, police used tear gas, detained a number of farmers and heavily barricaded border points to block the protesters from entering New Delhi.

Authorities are determined to control the new demonstrations to avoid a repeat of the 2021 protests, in which tens of thousands of farmers camped outside the capital for over a year, enduring a harsh winter and a devastating COVID-19 surge.

WHY ARE FARMERS PROTESTING AGAIN?

The farmers, who rode on tractors and trucks from neighboring Haryana and Punjab states, say the government has failed to meet some of their key demands from the previous protests.

In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed a set of agricultural laws that had triggered the first round of protests from farmers, who said the legislation would hurt their incomes.

But farmer groups that are leading the current march say that since then, the government hasn't made progress on other important demands such as guaranteed crop prices, a doubling of farmers' income and loan waivers.

The demand for legislation that will guarantee minimum support prices is at the heart of their protests.

Currently, the government protects agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices by setting a minimum purchase price for certain essential crops, a system that was introduced in the 1960s to help shore up food reserves and prevent shortages. But the farmers are demanding that this be extended to all farm produce, and not just essential crops.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?

In November 2021, Modi's announcement that his government would quash the controversial laws was widely seen as a win for the farmers and a rare retreat by the populist leader.

The government had defended the laws as necessary reforms to modernize Indian farming, but farmers feared the government's move to introduce market reforms in agriculture would leave them poorer.

The protests, which began in northern India, triggered nationwide demonstrations and drew international support. Dozens of farmers died due to suicides, bad weather conditions and the pandemic.

Political commentators said the protest movement was the biggest challenge until that time for the Modi government, which then tried to paint its decision to scrap the laws as a move that prioritized farmers.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MODI'S GOVERNMENT?

The protests come at a crucial time for the governing party and Modi, who is widely expected to sweep upcoming national polls and secure a third successive term.

In 2021, Modi's decision to do away with the laws was seen as a move to appease farmers ahead of crucial state polls.

Farmers form the most influential voting bloc in India and are often romanticized as the heart and soul of the nation.

Politicians have long considered it unwise to alienate them, and farmers are also particularly important to Modi's base. Northern Haryana and a few other states with substantial farmer populations are ruled by his party.

If the protests were to gain the same kind of momentum as last time, it could pose a new test for Modi and his government just a few months before the general election.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why tens of thousands of Indian farmers are marching toward the capital in protest

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tens of thousands of Indian farmers are marching toward the capital to demand guaranteed crop prices, renewing a movement from two years ago that succeeded in getting the government to repeal contentious new agricultural laws.

# data[].attributes.body
INSTRUCTIONS

please add one sticky to the board with the following, and include your name

1) read/watch at least two sources about the farmer protests 2.0 in Delhi

2) show you understand some of the economics behind the protests by providing some notes

3) offer at least one genuine/meaningful question about the situation

4) share the links of your sources

5) Return to the board later and upvote a question