The ongoing tension between the Narendra Modi government and Indian farmers reveals a fundamental disconnect in priorities. Despite continuous demands for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the government has sidestepped this crucial issue, opting instead to announce a slew of new schemes for the agricultural sector worth Rs 14,000 crore. The farmers, however, remain unimpressed. For them, the well-being of the sector hinges not on grand schemes but on the assurance that they will receive a fair price for their produce—something that has eluded them for far too long. Farmers argue that they are forced to sell their crops at prices so low that they often fail to cover their basic input costs. The MSP, they believe, is a safeguard against this chronic underpricing, yet the government appears to be fixated on implementing policies that the farmers say benefit corporations more than those tilling the land. The recently launched AgriSURE Fund, meant to support rural startups and agri-businesses, is a prime example. While touted as a pioneering step to revolutionize Indian agriculture, it falls short of addressing the farmers’ core concern: the legal guarantee of MSP. The Modi government’s focus seems to be on boosting agri-economy rather than directly improving the livelihoods of farmers. The new schemes, while potentially beneficial for the broader agricultural sector, are seen by many as catering more to corporate interests than to the farmers who are the backbone of the industry. This emphasis on agri-business over direct support to farmers is perceived as neglect, especially when both the agriculture and rural development ministries lack full-time Union Cabinet Ministers—a clear signal, according to critics, that the government is not prioritizing the rural sector.
The lack of a legal MSP guarantee is not just an economic issue; it is a political one. The Modi government’s failure to address this demand has fueled accusations of hypocrisy, especially after the conferral of the Bharat Ratna to MS Swaminathan, the very architect of the MSP concept. The gesture, coming months before the 2024 general elections, seems more like a political maneuver than a genuine attempt to alleviate farmers’ distress. Adding to the skepticism is the timing of the government’s recent announcement of seven new schemes for the agricultural sector, just days after approving industrial projects worth nearly double the amount. Critics argue that while the government attempts to balance industry and agriculture, the real beneficiaries of these schemes will be businesses rather than the struggling farmers. The schemes themselves—ranging from Crop Science initiatives to Digital Agriculture Missions—while ambitious, do little to address the immediate financial crises faced by the agricultural community.
Agriculture remains a critical sector, not just for the economy but also for employment, particularly in the post-COVID era when millions returned to rural areas due to urban job losses. However, the newly announced schemes seem more focused on innovation and technology rather than tackling the deep-rooted issues of underemployment and low wages in rural India. The Modi government’s policies continue to reflect a stark contrast with the needs of the farming community. Until the demand for a legally assured MSP is met, the disconnect between the government’s vision and the farmers’ reality will persist. While new schemes may bring some benefits, they cannot replace the fundamental need for price security, which remains the cornerstone of true agricultural welfare.
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