Are we exploiting farmers to please urban consumers by illogical agri-policies?

Are we exploiting farmers to please urban consumers by illogical agri-policies?

All available data suggests yes, as consumers' we all do.

Policy makers do surrender to demands of consumers at the cost of farmers because consumers have better political influence due to literacy and loud voice via media. This is creating serious economic divide in the society. This will lead to serious social and political unrest. This issues must be addressed soon. Media and consumers must be logical in their expectations and must demand fairness for all.

As consumer we must start our day by saying-

Please read agriculture policy of major civilized countries of the world, it says we need agriculture development to ensure food security, it never says we want farmers to become wealthy and prosperous. When we start any policy work with a biased objective, that is to exploit the producer and supplier for the benefit of consumer and user, can such policies deliver justice and encourage the producer and suppliers to do their best and deliver their best?

I don't think so.

Recently, I was at John F. Kennedy International Airport while going for a meeting of New Vision for Agriculture to World Economic Forum. Like every nation, America also glorifies some of their great leaders. I was keen to know what Mr. Kennedy did for the sector which I like, i.e. Agriculture and Agro-processing.

I came about this statement:

“The American farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything he buys at retail, sells everything he sells at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” – John F. Kennedy

Please read it again but slowly and pause after every 5 words and think about it.

...Still we have no respect for him...

Now look around and think what has changed in last 50 years for farmers. (John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Nov. 1963).

Now, let us see what Europe is doing with agriculture, In 1962, in Europe, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was launched as a partnership between agriculture and society, between Europe and its farmers.

The main aims are:

· To improve agricultural productivity so that consumers have a stable supply of affordable food.

· To ensure that EU farmers can make a reasonable living (but not rich).

Why farmers should make a reasonable living when everyone else in economy wants to become reasonably wealthy or super rich.

Now, Let us see what is happening in India, I suggest please go to Google and search "Agriculture Policy of India", what you will get is this.

NEW AGRICULTURE POLICY of India says, Agriculture is a way of life, a tradition, which, for centuries, has shaped the thought, the outlook, the culture and the economic life of the people of India. Agriculture, therefore, is and will continue to be central to all strategies for planned socio-economic development of the country. The rapid growth of agriculture is essential not only to achieve self-reliance at the national level but also for household food security and to bring about equity in the distribution of income and wealth resulting in rapid reduction in poverty levels.

Please note, there is no mention of a farmer in Agriculture policy of India.

Now let us understand, What are the objectives of Agriculture Policies of the civilized world?

Are we not saying, exploit rural poor for urban rich in other words use agriculture for the benefit of consumers only mainly urban Citizen.

The fact is No one is concerned about farmers welfare.

NGOs those who shout and wants to decide which technology farmers use, better they should start producing their own food. No one is stopping them from doing so. If they are so much concerned about the environment, let them stop using cars and plastics which can damage the environment. Let them spend money on biodiversity. Are they willing to do so? If not, why they are expecting farmers to follow their own illogical and self-serving ideology. They are not will to address the short-term needs of farmers, but they want farmers to sacrifice his welfare for their long-term needs. This illogicals argument must stop.

Why no NGOs ever protested and blocked the streets to ensure fair price for farmers? They just talk to media to grab headlines to seek funds from donors by offering lip service.

NGOs have no alternate plan except blocking the development.

NGOs and civilised society have a problem with how much water he is using in his farm, but they are not willing to stop their own water wasting activities at home and for their recreation and not willing to change food items which consume excessive water. They want farmers to change his practice, but consumers must remain in comfort forever, without accepting any hardships. Is this fair.

Consumers are keen to stop the use of agrochemicals and fertilizer which helps farmers in crop protect and crop yield, but they are not willing to pay the price for reduced production and economic loss which farmers will suffer due to disease outbreaks and to their fancy concepts.

NGOs and Consumers want biodiversity to be preserved by farmers but they are willing to uproot all biodiversity and greenery when they want to have the golf courses, housing complexes, infrastructure projects and all facilities in the name of better life.

Is this fair behavior of civilized society and so-called welfare NGOs to put all responsibilities on farmers' without making consumers accountable for their exploitation of farmers?

Don't you think this is an exploitation of farmers by the educated and civilized world and supported by illogical policies?

What is the way out?

Like every other trade union, should farmers produce food only for their requirements, not for consumers, as a mark of protest?

With new Food Security Act and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, I think he can live without selling their food crop to cities. Let consumers pay through nose for the food they busy. Hopefully, their anger will shake the political system because farmers have no voice.

What will happen to civilized people living in cities?

When they will shout for food inflation. I think no one should feel about it. I don’t feel sad when society suffer from food inflation because any way that money is not going to farmers.

In fact, no one should feel regret because no one ever paid for the welfare of the farmers who are involved in food production. Consumers are not willing to pay minimum wage to the farmers for their farming activity. never paid fair wages to farmers. If we calculate minimum wages for farmers, most of the consumers will not be able to afford food.

Farmers’ sacrifice no one is appreciating who is offering his hard work by producing essential foods to cities for the survival of people in cities. In return, he is not getting anything, which was essential for his survival. No political system is worried on this issue.

Just think about it.

Food inflation is a good message for all those who are living in cities because I hope this will send some sensible message to our Policymakers and NGOs that farmers also need technology and income.

Why son of farmers should not latest mobile phones, latest cars, multiplexes to enjoy life. Their kids also need parting and discos, their wives also need kitty parties and fashion shows and malls.

After all, farmers are feeding the country, why he should not enjoy life. Unfortunately, he is not even getting basic health, basic education, basic potable water, and roads etc.

What civilized world governed by civilized people should do for the farmer?

If a farmer is happy, she or he will produce more food. Maybe on a sustainable basis. But we expect sustainability in food production, but we never talk about sustainable good life for farmers. Why this attitude?

Incidentally, it was 50 years back in Nov. 1963, JFK was assassinated, but we have done nothing in last 50 years to address the issues raised by him for the benefit of farmers.

This is the only sector of the economy where the producer has no say in anything related to this activity. Consumer groups have problems with the seeds he wants to use, but they are not willing to pay the price for their fancy ideas. But farmers can't ask any consumer from where and what he is consuming, why they are using products which are leading to environmental pollution.

I think it is high time we all should start thinking how to make agriculture profitable for producers not just sustainable?

Today, farmers life is like this image, living is misery and disaster but there is hope but beyond reach, because this water is required by someone for drinking in cities.

My request to all those who have advise to farmers and those who oppose technology adoption by him, please ensure that your efforst will give him profits for dignified life. If you can give profits to farmers for his crop, then please don't give advise as well.

without ensuring profitability for his crops. Please stop imposing philosophies which are hurting farmers prosperity. Stop exploiting farmers. It is time to say thank you to him, every day, and at least three times a day.