-Newsclick.in And yet, it is being tom-tommed as ‘freedom’ for farmers and ‘self-reliance’ for country! Silently, and in double quick time, changes in laws related to cultivation, sale, stocking and pricing of agricultural produce – food grain, vegetables, etc. – have been proposed and disposed by the Narendra Modi government. Three ordinances relating to these key dimensions were given Presidential assent late on June 5 night, and they came into force “at...

-Society for Social and Economic Research Monograph 20/3 Key Messages Lack of planning and preparation by the Central government for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a massive blow to India’s economy and has caused enormous hardships to working people of the country. Harvesting of Rabi crops • Unplanned and sudden imposition of the lockdown resulted in a massive and unprecedented disruption to agricultural activities such as harvesting, sale of agricultural produce, and purchase...

-Livemint.com * A ground report reveals deep distress among vegetable and fruit farmers. Is this the right stage for agri-reform? * Despite repeated attempts to weaken state regulation, no competing agency can aggregate large volumes of produce and also help in price discovery BULANDSHAHR/ NEW DELHI: When Surendra Panwar speaks, his words are steeped in politeness. For instance, when asked whether it was his farm, Panwar’s response was, “Yes, but it belongs to...

-Newsclick.in “Since many farmers are afraid to reach the regular markets, the local vendors are taking advantage of it. They are then selling the vegetables at a higher cost to the customers,” said Subramani, a farmer. With no announcement regarding any relief measures, the farmers across the state are staring at an imminent setback. The lack of transportation facilities, labourers and unwarranted police action continue to hamper the farming sector during the...

-Livemint.com * 100-200 trucks are directly reaching retail vegetable market on the grounds and some 100 trucks are coming to APMC * Prices of foodgrains and pulses are currently around 40% higher than normal days Mumbai: Every day close to 600 truckloads of vegetables, foodgrains and fruits converge from Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and various parts of Maharashtra to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) centre at Vashi in New Mumbai, to feed the...