Silent victory speaks eloquently

As tribal farmers start reaching their far-flung homes after their marathon protest and with the written assurance of the Maharashtra government that all their demands, including the one on implementation of Dr Swaminathan Commission Report, would be met, there is a sense of satisfaction among the farming community.

Though the entire opposition supported the farmers’ march this is an apolitical protest. The farmers who thronged the mega city could have thrown its life out of gear at least for three days, but they did not do it, being what they are: disciplined foot soldiers of the country living and dying for its land. The wrinkled faces and the shriveled bodies conveyed a lot to the people to the extent that Mumbaikaars queued up to comfort them with food and water. Some even donated chappals to the barefoot walkers.

The dignified protest and their peaceful exit from the city, signal a new awakening in the country. Farmers all over are protesting over the neglect of agriculture sector and dying by dozens every day committing suicides while Vijay Mallyas and Nirav Modis have the last laugh with the support of the state.

Fed up with the deprivation and the post-truth politics, farmers everywhere are revolting. When political parties involved lead such protests, we find violence and in cases such as these – including the protest at Jantar Mantar by Tamil Nadu farmers – they have always been peaceful. Such protests are shaking the conscience of the nation more than any. These farmers have left a strong message to the governments now.

"We shall not spare you if you don't implement your manifestos and promises". Just imagine the picture of these protesting farmers making Mumbai streets their battle fields and pitching tents. Would any amount of force have moved them back? Would the government have been able to deal with the hungry and tired farmers brimming with self-respect all over? No way. That is the power of non-violence. It seems helpless and voiceless, yet when provoked beyond a certain point, non-violence could move mountains.

Is it really difficult for the governments to implement Dr Swaminathan Committee report? Is it insurmountable for the banks that lose billions of rupees every now and then to crooks of this country to waive the loans? Dr Swaminathan had requested the government to implement the recommendations given in the report so that it could provide minimum support price for grains while seeking safeguarding of the small farmers' interests. He sought to address the issue of increasing risks of the profession too.

The report that suggests reforms in the interests of farmers is hailed as a solution to the problems of farmers agitating across the country. (The government of India constituted the National Commission on Farmers [NCF] on November 18, 2004. The NCF was chaired by Professor MS Swaminathan. It submitted five reports to the government. The first was submitted in December 2004 and the fifth and final report was submitted on October 4, 2006).

The fifth report was the most crucial as it contained suggestions for inclusive growth of farmers and agriculture sector. The report sought a system for food and nutrition security, sustainability in the farming system, enhancing quality and cost competitiveness of farm commodities and also to recommend measures for credit and other marketing related steps.

Assured access to and control over rightful basic resources is primary to successful farming. These basic resources include land, water, bioresources, credit and insurance, technology and knowledge management and markets. This has been noted by the report as key to the reforms. It observed that agriculture must be implemented in the concurrent list from the state list — hence putting it as a matter of concern for both the Union and the states. One of the key reforms was, of course, land reforms.

It was aimed to address the issue of access to and for both crops and livestock. The commission said that the inequality in landholdings in shown starkly in land ownership. It said that in 1991-92, the share of the bottom 50 per cent of the rural households in the country’s total land ownership was only three per cent.

The top 10 per cent owned as much as 54 per cent. One of the main points was establishing a National Land Use Advisory Service. The purpose of this service would be to connect land usage decisions with ecological meteorological and marketing factors. It also recommended irrigation reforms to ensure boosting of water supply and rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharging being mandatory.

Productivity growth and credit and insurance facilities, integrated credit-cum-crop-livestock human health insurance package; crop insurance across country for all crops with reduced premiums; sustainable livelihoods for the poor, investment in human development; institutional development services etc along with food security were among them.

It is still not understandable as to why the governments restructure micro-financing policies that may serve as a sort of livelihood finance, covering all crops by insurance and create a social security net that gives old age support and health insurance to farmers.

Recently Prof Swaminathan expressed concern over the MSP mechanism saying that since the Finance Minister in his Budget announced the proposed hike for only unannounced crops, most important crops such as paddy or millets are not up for any hike.

Is it a humongous effort for the governments to announce 50 per cent profits above the cost of production and implement it sincerely for their own sake? After all, the rural populations, if united, can still defeat the governments of the day. The BJP has since long been focusing on the urban and semi-urban vote. It is time if it keeps at least one word of its sincerely for the sake of 'Annadata' before it is too late!