Speaking for the first time on the latest farm legislation since the continuing agitation broke out, PM Modi defended the law on Saturday that it would break down barriers in the agriculture sector and raise farmers’ incomes.
“If you place barriers, which previous governments did, an industry or sector cannot grow. The recent agriculture reforms are a part of that barrier-breaking process. We are removing the barriers within agricultural, food processing, storage and cold chain,” said PM
His announcement comes only as thousands of farmers have been demonstrating against the laws for the last two weeks, demanding that the government abolish them, arguing that the laws will undermine the mandi system and favour corporations.
Yet Modi maintained that the legislation was an effort to modernise the agriculture sector. “The farmers will have access to new markets, their incomes will increase and the country’s cold storage system will be modernised. Country farmers will be the key beneficiaries, especially the small and marginal farmers.
The PM asked private investors to exploit the full value of agriculture and rural markets. “More investments are required from you. Agri-based industries have a vast scope. Our government is committed to improving the lives of farmers through its intentions and policies,” said the PM to FICCI representatives.
The Government has indicated that it would have written confirmation that the new MSP (Minimal Support Price) procurement system will continue and that some of the provisions of the legislation will continue to apply.
The talks failed this week and the farmers said they would continue to step up the agitation in the coming days. Listing his government’s farmer-friendly initiatives, Modi said the government has promoted the production of ethanol from sugar cane.
He said that this ethanol is blended in petrol to minimise India’s reliance on oil imports and to provide farmers with remunerative prices for their crops. Modi said that farmers will be provided with technologies and will benefit from market access.
