PM Modi Indicates Farm Laws Will Stay Put; Encourages Private Participation In Agri-Sector

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted the necessity for the new agricultural reforms and also vouched for establishing new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Times of India reports.

He believes that FPOs can help the small and marginal farmers to have enhanced technological access, finance, market and input and also receive better prices for their products.

Addressing a webinar on efficient implementation of budget provisions for the agricultural sector, the PM said, “We have to expand our country’s agriculture sector into the global market for processed food. We must increase the number of agro-industry clusters near villages so that people in villages get employment related to farming in the village itself.”

He advocated the farmers to join hands with FPOs, something that can increase their bargaining power for better prices. PM Modi refrained from commenting on the recently passed farm laws. However, the crux of his speech was to permit the farmers to have greater market access beyond the usual mandis; which also forms the heart of the three laws passed in September 2020.

In fact, PM Modi also talked up private participation in the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of research and development (R&D).

He emphasized the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme to promote Indian products in the international market. These products are set to be encouraged in a cluster approach to enhance their value and subsequently increase farmers’ income.