Farmer groups in India have expressed significant concerns regarding recent government agricultural policies, particularly the reduction in cotton import duty. They argue that this policy could lead to an influx of cheaper foreign cotton, subsequently depressing domestic prices and causing financial distress for local farmers. Some groups also perceive the import duty reduction as a move to placate the United States, potentially at the expense of domestic agricultural interests.
Further concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of current support mechanisms, such as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops like cotton and tur (pigeon pea). Farmers report that the prices they receive are often below the MSP, failing to cover their input costs. They advocate for the immediate implementation of enhanced subsidies and effective MSPs to ensure the viability of their livelihoods.
The representatives also highlight the challenges faced by small and marginal farmers, who constitute a large percentage of the agricultural sector in states like Maharashtra. They question these farmers’ ability to compete with heavily subsidized international cultivators and emphasize the need for robust government intervention and support to prevent a deepening crisis within the sector.
Source: indianexpress.com