Amid strong protests done by the opposition parties, three agriculture bills got passed by the Lok Sabha in the present monsoon session. The country is witnessing huge protests by the farmers.
From the state of Punjab and Haryana farmers have been protesting against the latest agriculture policy. ‘Rail roko’ agitation across the state has been announced by the Punjab farmers’ body from September 24th to 26th 2020.
What is the new agriculture bill? Why is so much protest taking place against it? What are the important facts to know about farmers bill 2020 for the upcoming UPSC IAS exam? Let’s check it out one by one.
What are the Newly Passed Agriculture Ordinance in 2020?
Bill 1
- Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 – this was introduced by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
This farm bill 2020 let the intra and interstate farmers produce even outside the premises of APMC markets without paying any extra market free, cess or levy as State governments are prohibited from levying any of those.
Bill 2
- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill 2020 – this was also introduced by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
This farmers bill 2020 aims for framing contractual farming between a buyer and farmer, through an agreement. This should be done before the production of any agro product. Three-tier dispute settlement framework is provided here – Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the conciliation board and Appellate Authority.
Bill 3
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill – this was introduced by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve.
This agriculture ordinance 2020 empowers the Government of India to control the supply of particular agro-food products under unusual situations like war. In case of a steep hike of price, stock limits can be applied on farm products.
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Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
How does it help?
- Removal of barriers for Intra/ inter-state business of agricultural products.
- Farmers can sell their product to anyone coming from anywhere.
- Seamless electronic trade is supported here.
- Encourages ending the monopoly of traders.
- Increased competition among consumers or buyers.
- Farmers get better and return thus increasing income rate.
- Free movement of agro products from surplus to deficit regions.
- This farm bill 2020 creates a national market.
- End consumer gets better items at cheaper prices.
Here’s all you need to know about new agriculture reform bill
Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill 2020
How does it help?
- This agriculture reform bill opens the window for farmers to enter into agreements with large buyers, retailers and exporters.
- Farmers get to know the price before starting sowing.
- The market risk gets transferred to sponsor from farmers.
- High-quality seeds, pesticides and fertilisers can be availed by the farmers.
- Private investors will be interested in farming.
- A door to the global market.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill
How does it help?
- Many agro foods like pulses, onion, potatoes, oilseeds, cereals, and edible oils are removed from the essential commodities list by this farm bill 2020.
- Except under unusual circumstances, this newly passed agriculture bill does away with the imposition of stock limit.
- Business and traders get rid of harassment.
- With the improvement of storage facilities, the wastage rate is likely to get reduced.
- This latest agriculture policy aims for a stable price which will eventually help in raising farm incomes.
Reasons behind Protest against Agriculture Bill 2020
- The farmers fear that due to this latest agriculture policy, they might not get paid as per MSP act.
- Farmers want provision for legal actions to be taken if any agency buys agro products from them below the minimum support prices as per the MSP act.
- These newly passed bills threaten the commission agents operating between farmers and consumers as they fear that they might lose their commission.
- As per farmers, they think and believe that these farmers bill 2020 will help big business houses.
- Farmers are concerned about the fact that these agriculture bills in India will lead to two markets outside the mandis having different rules.
What is the APMC Act?
The model APMC Act, 2003 was created for contract forming and for enhancing the laws it was released to the states. For contract farming, 20 states have amended their APMC Act though Punjab follows a different law for this purpose.
Conclusion
The government believes that the newly passed agriculture bills in India will accelerate growth in the agricultural market through investment from private sectors and supply of agro products in national as well as international markets.
Hopefully, this article will help you get a clear understanding of the new agriculture bill 2020 and this will definitely help you prepare better for the upcoming UPSC IAS examination. Best of luck!
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