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Source: The post Recommendations of Swaminathan commission has been created, based on the article “What Swaminathan panel said” published in “Indian express” on 17th February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3-economy-Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;
News: This article discusses the demands of protesting Punjab farmers for a law ensuring minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.
Read extensive coverage of the MSP guarantee here.
What are the demands of protesting Punjab farmers?
The Punjab farmers’ primary demand is for a law that ensures the procurement of all crops for all farmers at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). They seek a system where MSP is not just a guideline but a legally enforceable standard.
This demand aligns with the recommendations of the Dr. Swaminathan Commission to some extent but diverges in that the Commission did not recommend a legal guarantee for MSP.
To know who M.S. Swaminathan was read here
What were the objectives of the Swaminathan Commission?
The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) was formed under the leadership of agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan.
The Commission’s 10-point agenda focused on strategies for food and nutrition security and enhancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of farming in India.
Between 2004 and 2006, the Commission submitted five reports totaling 1,946 pages. These reports made several recommendations, including some on MSP, but did not suggest a legal guarantee for MSP or a specific formula for its calculation.
What recommendations of Swaminathan Commission?
Support for Farm Women: Establishing a National Board for New Deal for Women in Agriculture under the Union Food and Agriculture Minister, with the Union Ministers for Women and Child Development, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj as co-chairs.
Farm Schools: Recommending the establishment of Farm Schools to spread innovative farming methods.
Grain and Fodder Banks: Proposing the establishment of a grain bank and community food and fodder banks.
Insurance and Soil Testing: Advocating for promoting insurance and setting up a national network of advanced soil testing labs.
Market Reforms: Suggesting a code of conduct for contract farming, and amendments in the state APMC Acts and the Essential Commodities Act.
Agricultural Costs and Prices: The Commission made suggestions for the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which recommends MSPs, to consider various factors in deciding the level of MSP, including the weighted average cost of production and risk factors.
Minimum Support Prices (MSP): Recommending timely issuance and better implementation of MSP across regions, but not supporting the specific formula of C2 cost plus 50%.
What are the different commission recommendations on Minimum Support Prices?
Swaminathan Commission
Timely MSP Issuance: Emphasized the need for prompt declaration of MSP, especially for Kharif crops.
Improving Implementation: Recommended improving MSP implementation across different regions.
Abhijit Sen Committee (High Level Committee on Long Term Grain Policy, 2002)
Cost Calculation Method: Suggested that the CACP should base MSPs on C2 cost of production (including imputed costs) in more efficient regions.
A2 + FL Costs: Recommended that CACP also indicate its estimates of A2 + FL costs for high-cost regions.
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
Cost of Production Consideration: Advised that MSP should be based on the weighted average cost of production, considering variability between regions and farmers.
Exclusion of Risk and Post-Harvest Expenses: Noted that risk factors and marketing and post-harvest expenses are not considered in the MSP determination process.
Way forward
To address the ongoing agricultural crisis, a balanced approach is needed that combines the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations with the current demands of farmers. This includes legally ensuring MSP, enhancing productivity, and improving market reforms while focusing on sustainability and support for farm women and innovative farming practices.
Question for practice
Discuss the various recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission on Farmers regarding agricultural reforms and compare them with the demands of protesting Punjab farmers for a law ensuring Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
