By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has wished farmers on the passage of farm bills in Parliament and called it a watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, “A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers.
For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them.
Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers. Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step.
I said it earlier and I say it once again:System of MSP will remain. Government procurement will continue. We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations.”
Meanwhile, the Parliament on Sunday passed two bills aimed at transforming agriculture in the country and raising farmers’ incomes. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 which were passed by Lok Sabha on 17th September 2020, were passed by the Rajya Sabha also . The Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on 14th September 2020 by Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar, to replace ordinances promulgated on 5th June 2020.
Speaking about the Bills, Narendra Singh Tomar said that the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several landmark decisions in last six years to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce, and for raising farmers’ incomes and livelihood status. He again clarified that the procurement at Minimum Support Price will continue, assurance for this has been given by Hon’ble Prime Minister himself, rate of MSP has been increased considerably during 2014-2020 and MSP for coming Rabi season will be announced in coming week. The Union Agriculture Minister said that full protection has been ensured to farmers in these legislations. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
The new legislation will create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice of sale and purchase of agri-produce.It will also promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations.The farmers will not be charged any cess or levy for sale of their produce and will not have to bear transport costs.The Bill also proposes an electronic trading in transaction platform for ensuring a seamless trade electronically.In addition to mandis, freedom to do trading at farmgate, cold storage, warehouse, processing units etc.Farmers will be able to engage in direct marketing thereby eliminating intermediaries resulting in full realization of price.
Procurement at Minimum Support Price will continue, farmers can sell their produce at MSP rates, the MSP for Rabi season will be announced next week. Mandis will not stop functioning, trading will continue here as before. Under the new system, farmers will have the option to sell their produce at other places in addition to the mandis. The e-NAM trading system will also continue in the mandis. Trading in farm produce will increase on electronic platforms. It will result in greater transparency and time saving
The new legislation will empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters etc., on a level playing field. Price assurance to farmers even before sowing of crops. In case of higher market price, farmers will be entitled to this price over and above the minimum price.It will transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor. Due to prior price determination, farmers will be shielded from the rise and fall of market prices.It will also enable the farmer to access modern technology, better seed and other inputs.It will reduce cost of marketing and improve income of farmers.Effective dispute resolution mechanism has been provided for with clear time lines for redressal.Impetus to research and new technology in agriculture sector.
The farmer will have full power in the contract to fix a sale price of his choice for the produce. They will receive payment within maximum 3 days.10000 Farmer Producer organizations are being formed throughout the country. These FPOs will bring together small farmers and work to ensure remunerative pricing for farm produce. After signing contract, farmer will not have seek out traders. The purchasing consumer will pick up the produce directly from the farm.In case of dispute, there will be no need to go to court repeatedly. There will be local dispute redressal mechanism.
