Punjab farm leaders question delay in rollout of agriculture policy

The regrouping of farmers in Punjab, evident from the massive show of strength at Samrala during the ‘Jitt Rally’ of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, has once again shifted the focus to the demand for the agriculture policy.

1 lakh suggestions received: Minister

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said they had received 1.02 lakh suggestions after the draft policy was put in public domain.

“These are being examined and we are seeing what all can be implemented in the policy. It will then be discussed with the Chief Minister and implemented soon,” he said.

The AAP government has failed to roll out the policy, although it was drafted nearly two years ago and presented to farm unions for discussion in September last year. However, no discussion has taken place on the policy thereafter, even as some farm leaders have given their feedback on the draft prepared by the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission.

SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told The Tribune that they would soon start questioning the government on the reason for not implementing the policy. “It seems the AAP government is least concerned about farmers’ welfare and does not want to implement it. In fact, they go after the farmer union leaders by arresting them, whenever we question the government,” he said.

The AAP government had initially announced to roll out the agri-policy by March 2023. In October that year, the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission submitted its draft to the CM.

Falling water table, crop diversification key challenges

The agrarian economy in the state is passing through a critical phase as wheat-paddy monoculture is no longer profitable

Farmers’ indebtedness is rising even after the previous Congress government implemented a partial debt-waiver scheme

Farmers’ institutional loans alone have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, while the figure for non-institutional loans (from arhtiyas) is much higher

The sharply falling water table and no crop diversification are the main challenges

Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, general secretary of the BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) said the farmers were doubtful of the intentions of the government. “We gave our suggestions on the draft policy to the government last year. But they are busy in politics and seem to be in awe of certain corporate houses, which do not want the policy to be rolled out. The government seems to have little time for people’s welfare. This is true not just for them, but also for other parties who ruled the state before AAP. Is it not strange that Punjab is an agrarian state, but till date it has no agriculture policy?” he said.