The effect of farm sector changes on agrarian movements in India 

News: In recently-concluded state elections, the farmer’s movement and the repeal of the three farm laws that passed in 2020 were referred to during the political discourse in some parts of the electoral landscape. 

In Punjab, a group of farm protestors who contested elections failed to register their presence.  

In Uttar Pradesh, the agitation failed to mobilize farmers beyond the state’s western belt, which was the hotbed of farmer mobilization. The political articulation failed to find resonance even in other parts of UP or neighbouring Uttarakhand. 

Why the movement couldn’t succeed in generating any political consensus on farmer issues? 

The movement was restricted to a narrow geographical region. Therefore, It could not influence voters beyond that. 

The farmer movement 2020 was largely a response to an action of the government. It was not an organic mobilization over the concerns of a large majority of farmers. The 2020 protest ceased to exist with the repeal of the farm laws.

The farmers movements have failed to build alliances. During the past five years, there were protests in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra (Long March to highlight their plight) and Tamil Nadu (Farmers protested in Delhi for 100 days). But they could not come together. 

It could not reach common ground with agricultural and non-farm casual labourers. In fact, their lives and livelihoods are also affected by agriculture. 

Agricultural concerns differ across states because the nature of agriculture (like cropping patterns) has changed across states.

– For example, now, horticulture and commercial crops dominate over cereal-based cropping patterns. Unlike rice and wheat, they do not enjoy state support through public procurement at minimum support prices (MSPs). 

Decline in use of farm labour due to an increase in capital intensity and mechanization of agriculture. Therefore, most casual-wage farm labourers are now seeking employment elsewhere. It has weakened the solidarity among wageworkers and cultivators

Now the non-farm sector has become dominant. Therefore, the challenge for agrarian politics has gone beyond the narrow demands of loan waivers and MSP guarantees. 

What is the way forward?

To have any political impact, the agrarian mobilizations require a broadening of the movement. This requires building coalitions across different classes of farmers as well as wageworkers who are impacted by the prevailing rural distress.  

Mobilization of farmers is necessary for farmers to attain a stronger bargaining position vis-a-vis the market and the state. It is because the farmers are now vulnerable to unexpected market changes.

Also, the state has a duty to protect agriculture, farmers and the rural economy. 

Source: The post is based on an article “The effect of farm sector changes on agrarian movements in India” published in the Live Mint on 25th Mar 22.