Why are farmers protesting? – Rethink the way we grow food

Source: The post why are farmers protesting has been created, based on the article “Rethink the way we grow food” published in “Business Standard” on 4th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-economy-Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;

News: Why are farmers protesting? The article discusses the high costs and challenges in modern farming, both in Europe and India. It highlights issues like climate change, government policies, and the need for sustainable practices.

Why are farmers protesting?

Protest in India:

Demand for Higher MSP: Farmers want increased minimum support prices for their crops due to high production costs.

Lack of Subsidies: Unlike European farmers, Indian farmers receive minimal government support, impacting their profitability.

Climate Challenges: Erratic weather and pest attacks increase risks for farmers.

Protest in Europe:

Climate Regulation Impact: European farmers face challenges with new climate rules, like reducing pesticides and fertilizers, which increase their costs.

Financial Burdens: Policies like reducing livestock numbers and cutting fossil fuel subsidies add to the financial stress of farmers in Europe.

Dependency on Subsidies: European agriculture heavily relies on government subsidies, such as the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. For example, each farmer received approximately €6,700 annually in 2021 as direct income support.

What are the issues in modern farming?

Farm consolidation: Farms have become larger, making it harder for small farmers to compete due to increased costs and bureaucracy.

Rising costs: Both small and large farms face high input costs and debt. Organic farming, covering 10% of EU land, increases cultivation costs.

Intensive agriculture: To improve productivity, there’s more use of chemicals and bio-inputs, leading to higher costs and environmental damage.

Price control dilemma: Governments need to control food prices, but this affects farmers’ income, especially when costs rise due to climate change and pests.

Lack of subsidies: In India, unlike Europe, farmers lack substantial government subsidies, making it hard to cope with increasing costs.

Environmental impact: Intensive farming practices compromise environmental protection efforts.

Conflict between productivity and affordability: Increasing productivity requires expensive inputs, but this isn’t sustainable in regions needing affordable food.

What should be done?

Promote Sustainable Practices: Shift towards regenerative or natural farming to reduce cultivation costs and improve environmental health.

Local Market Support: Implement policies like Odisha’s millet procurement for midday meals to provide farmers with assured markets.

Balance Subsidies and Costs: Adjust subsidy systems to support farmers adequately, especially in regions like India where current support is minimal.

Manage Consumer Prices: Develop strategies to maintain affordable food prices while ensuring fair compensation for farmers.

Reduce Food Waste: Address the global issue of food wastage, ensuring efficient use of agricultural produce.

Enhance Environmental Policies: Integrate environmental standards with agricultural practices, focusing on long-term sustainability.

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Question for practice:

Examine the key challenges faced by farmers in both Europe and India, as well as the proposed solutions to address the issues faced by modern farming.