On Farmers Rights

Reflecting on The Largest Protest In Human History


Led by Punjabi Farmers, unions of farmers, workers, and allies have been marching across India- with some sources estimating that at least 250 million people have been protesting. They are fighting for a system that protects and supports them, one that provides them with just and equitable wages for their labor and land.

These protests are in response to 3 new agriculture laws: 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.

Farmers are concerned that these new laws will make them vulnerable to exploitation by corporations, decrease their wages and autonomy/bargaining power, and slowly phase out the MSP system, a safety net provided by the Indian government in case prices drop for crops. Through the MSP, the government guarantees a certain price to farmers regardless of market conditions assures farmers that they can invest in the next crop cycle.

Farmers are also concerned that these new laws will put them in debt and drive up unemployment. These laws might also make it harder for farmers to bring their cases to court.

As it stands, India is the largest producer of cotton in the world and other textiles such as silk, yarn, and denim. All things you probably wear. India is the largest exporter of rice, lentils, and spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin.

These protests are linked to labor rights and movements all over the world. And in other labor sectors as well. The fight in India is an example of how interconnected our movements are. We see other conversations similarly emerging and historically showing up in fashion, automation, and manufacturing.

If you haven’t been already, I implore you to pay attention to this important movement.

Edited Note on Dec. 23, 2020

You can read more about the protest through these stories:

Aljazeera | “Meet the Women Behind the Indian Farmers Protests”

NPR | “Indian Farmers Man Barricades in Delhi Protesting New Agriculture Laws”

The New York Times | “India Farmers Protest Pollution”

"In November 2020, thousands of farmers marched from the northern states of India to Delhi to protest farming reforms passed by Prime Minister Modi’s government. Those protests have continued throughout the month of December and show little sign of letting up. The farmers have set up camp in and around the capital city to pressure the government to repeal the laws, but the government won’t budge. The government says these new laws will modernize farming by liberalizing the industry, but India’s farmers say it will be their downfall. Under these new policies, farmers will have fewer government protections and will likely lose the government-regulated markets and prices they have relied on for decades. To make matters even more difficult, all this is happening as India’s farmers grapple with a shrinking share of the economy that has contributed to a suicide crisis around the country. To understand the three farming reforms and why they have driven so many farmers into the streets, as well as the history behind the problems farmers have been facing for decades, watch the video above."

Dec 3rd 2021 Updates

cover picture from https://unsplash.com/@gabrielj_photography?utm_source=squarespace&medium=referral

Act It Outelina morrisonComment