An opportunity to be explored

    The pandemic has created a unique situation for us to re-create ourselves in this world providing us opportunities to correct the historic wrongs and adopt a path of sustainability. This opportunity must be utilised in a wise manner so that the posterity thanks us for what we do today.

    The pandemic has exposed the weakness of our social and economic systems rendering the most vulnerable in disarray. It has made us reflect at least to some extent how materialised we were before the pandemic. It brought to the forefront that food is a basic amenity and we are ready to spend an extra rupee for a qualitative meal. Everything else became secondary ! This brings us to the point where the importance of a farmer cannot be overlooked anymore. Food security is the basic security. Then comes nutritional security.

    The new bill introduced by the Parliament to amend various acts including APMC act and give an opportunity for the farmers to participate in the open market to determine competitive prices is indeed a good move and shows the government's commitment to double the farm income. With the loosening of the regulations in contract farming, the farmer is bound to discover a better price for the crop. By open market price discovery, the income of farm house will increase and this will boost up rural demand. The boost in the rural demand might be one of the measures needed to go on a path of economic recovery.

    While there are some fears that the farmers might be exploited in the open market, the government can create grievance redressal mechanism for hearing the grievances of the farmers. Such grievance resolution mechanism can bring in transparency and accountability of governments intent for the good of the farmer. Furthermore the government can incentivise organic farming by assuring a higher base price for organic products. Organic farming in the long run has more benefits in the form of better soil health, plant health, human health and environmental health. There should be something called as organic revolution. Each and every farmer must commit to sustainability in a way such that the thinking of "My soil, My water, My land, etc" should change to "Our soil, Our water, Our land, etc". 

    Hidden unemployment is a very serious issue in agriculture. This effectively reduces the productivity and income and is a waste of precious labor. Creating extra employment opportunities under MNREGA can reduce hidden unemployment while creating useful infrastructure. The government must also correct the MSP regime which favours certain crops over others. Diversity in food crops must be encouraged. Pulses need to be given importance and priority. There is also a changing pattern of diet and a shift from carbohydrate rich to protein rich diet. Finally it is when India can achieve nutritional security, the future demography will accrue dividend to the nation.