FARM BILLS (2020): PERSPECTIVES

Three controversial farm bills were passed without much debate in the Indian Parliament, despite intensifying protests across the country by farmers and political fronts. The three farm bills were earlier introduced as ordinances by the government in June 2020. The three ordinances; The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 were brought about in light of the Covid -19 pandemic. It is claimed that it would ease farmers’ access to markets across the country, help them enter contracts for assured returns and exempt more farm products from the Essential Commodities Act (EC) which could help doubling of farmer’s income.  The claim that bills will empower farmers is debated countrywide, with massive protests against policy. President of India has given his assent for the three contentious bills despite the massive farmers’ unrest in the country.

The Cochin University Teachers Association along with the Cochin University Employees Association is mooting a discussion on the Farm bills on October 4^th 2020 at 4.00 PM till 5.30 PM. Two eminent speakers in the field of agriculture, Dr. Jiju P Alex, Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University (President, Federation of University Teachers Association) and Dr. R Ramakumar, NABARD Chair Professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Member of Kerala State Planning Board join us on the online platform for a  discussion on the plausible impact of the farm bills.