With the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Bhau Vilasrao Deshmukh, taking immediate steps at damage control, and to plug the bureaucratic leaking hole, created by the state government's affidavit regarding the delayed release of Central funds for the distressed debt numbed, cotton farmers of Vidarbha, it is clear that the Vidarbha issue is beginning to cause some spin off distress, among the sections of Indian society which have an assured income every month.
As against the farmers, dependent on faulty weather, farm exit policies, political corruption, monopolistic private sector intervention in agriculture and countless other problems.
It started off with the Relief Commissioner,, Sudhir Kumar Goyal, IAS, donning the cap of a seasoned farm strategist and philosopher, and claiming that the Vidarbha farmers were victims of a lopsided system, where they were trying to generate profits from GM cotton farming in non irrigated areas, high cost inputs, low incomes. Shri Goyal initially was persuaded to conduct political damage limitation excercises.
Shri Goyal never felt the need to tell us who approved large scale GM cotton experimentations with Vidarbha farmers in the first place despite a sprawling agricultural science network existing in India. Even more GM specific laboratories and extension institutes are being rapidly planned as India exceeds China in GM crop coverage.
Now with Congress being rudely voted out of power in the state elections in Punjab and Uttaranchal, despite, the visits of Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, the central Congress think tanks, are beginning to get sleepless nights, and the tough talking, pesticides in mother's milk, Cricket Minister and the fair play Sensex Minister, whose photos with top industrialists were splashed all over the media, while Vidarbha farmers were denied even a ten minutes appointment, are being asked to have a relook at the rural agrarian situation in Vidarbha, much to their dismay.
Not surprising, that the bureaucrats lower down in the pecking order, are beginning to speak out their minds at political incompetence and callousness, that begins from policy levels in New Delhi itself.
Somebody at some level, low down in the IAS bureaucracy and babudom in Maharashtra, took the decision, to defend the state Congress government's handling of Vidarbha agrarian crisis, in a court affidavit, and blame the PMO, for delayed release of funds, promised by Shri Man Mohan Singh himself.
Shri Singh in his much publicized Vidarbha visit, had announced a whopping Vidarbha Relief Package, the internal details of which, however, were known only to Oxbridge economists and think tanks sitting in South Bloc, New Delhi.
Shri Singh followed this up with his passionate advocacy of unleashing a Second Green Revolution on Indian farms, private sector entry into food retail, and advocacy of the need for raising farmers out of debt with rising incomes, so that they can share in the fruits of the Shining India that is sweeping Indian cities and economy, as is their due.
But then, what was not clarified, that a large scale Farm Exit Policy, is already underway in India, with senior economists, think tanks and bureaucrats, unanimous, that farm income dependant Indian populations must somehow or the other be reduced in percentage, before the WTO Doha hand shake takes place with Pascal Lamy, US and Europe.
So call it a gaffe, call it a faux pas, call it bureaucratic distress, somewhere in the lower echelons of Indian bureaucracy, some people are feeling the pressure, and feeling the need to let off some steam in court affidavits and media manipulation, if in nothing else.
Maybe Bhau Deshmukh and Shri Pawar, will succeed in damage limitation by praising the excellent support from PMO in making the Vidarbha crisis intervention a major feather in his cap.
He has been quoted as saying "We sincerely appreciate your concern over the high incidence of farmers' suicides. The assistance from the PM's relief fund has been of immense help to needy families in Vidarbha."
But then, Indian democracy, may show a different door to these ministers, begging for 3-4 extra years under their political supervision, before the urban gains in Indian economy, are transfered to Indian rural areas.
Vidarbha is too important an electoral bell weather for Congress to disregard and take casually.
Showing posts with label farmers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farmers. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Banks Loan Recovery Operations in Vidarbha
While the IAS bureaucrats in charge of Relief operations in Vidarbha, like Shri Sudhir Kumar Goyal, are vigourously denying, forcible recovery of loans, from indebted and defaulting cotton farmers in Vidarbha, by banks and private money lenders, Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti alleges that most of the farmers were the victims of ongoing loan recovery drive of the banks.
The much hyped Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh's Vidarbha Relief package, had promised the farmers would get at least one year moratorium on recovery of loans.
However, it seems the Loan Recovery Operations picture on the ground is starkly different. Shri Goyal has already stated that "no government on earth can subsidize 60% of the farmers".
All bank managers have loan recovery targets, and are busy forcefully recovering outstanding amounts from farmers using new techniques and methods.
It now seems the banks have decided to collude with state-run Cotton Marketing Cooperative Federation, the main cotton procurer in Vidarbha, during selling of raw cotton.
Moreover, banks have also launched their loan recovery drive knowing that the Vidarbha cotton farmers are drinking water from a leaking cup.
In the face of this double bind of seeing the daily dance of death in his districts, between helpless farmers and Congress politicians, the Relief Commissioner has donned the cap of a philosopher, and is busy advocating to the media, that the high cost of agro-inputs and meagre price of raw cotton produce, is to blaim for the misery of suicidal farmers.
How long this situation will last, and a new Relief Commissioner takes charge from him, remains to be seen.
The much hyped Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh's Vidarbha Relief package, had promised the farmers would get at least one year moratorium on recovery of loans.
However, it seems the Loan Recovery Operations picture on the ground is starkly different. Shri Goyal has already stated that "no government on earth can subsidize 60% of the farmers".
All bank managers have loan recovery targets, and are busy forcefully recovering outstanding amounts from farmers using new techniques and methods.
It now seems the banks have decided to collude with state-run Cotton Marketing Cooperative Federation, the main cotton procurer in Vidarbha, during selling of raw cotton.
Moreover, banks have also launched their loan recovery drive knowing that the Vidarbha cotton farmers are drinking water from a leaking cup.
In the face of this double bind of seeing the daily dance of death in his districts, between helpless farmers and Congress politicians, the Relief Commissioner has donned the cap of a philosopher, and is busy advocating to the media, that the high cost of agro-inputs and meagre price of raw cotton produce, is to blaim for the misery of suicidal farmers.
How long this situation will last, and a new Relief Commissioner takes charge from him, remains to be seen.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Bureaucrats Shed Crocodile Tears in Vidarbha
The recent interview given by Shri Sudhir Kumar Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, Incharge Relief, Amravati, Maharashtra, shows that politicians are pressing the bureaucrats into action for fire fighting in Vidarbha.
Shri Goyal has tried to shed a few tears, for suicidal cotton farmers, of Vidarbha, and rattled off figures of how much interest waivure, has been provided to the farmers on their loans. He says no government in the world can subsidize 60% farmers. He however, is pointedly silent on why these loans were advanced to farmers in the first place if cultivating cotton in Vidarbha is such a risky proposition. Did the ministers, government departments and senior responsible officers,not know that cultivating resource intensive cotton in Vidarbha is a risky proposition ?
I wish to point out some of the cotton export figures of India for the period January 2006 - September 2006 to show how Shri Goyal is trying to deflect attention from governmental dishonesty.
US Imports from India : Rise in percentage from previous year in same period -
1. Textiles and Apparel : 16.75% rise
2. Yarns : 136.96% rise
3. Fabrics : 27.36% rise
4. MadeUps : 8.53% rise
5. Apparel : 11.32% rise
6. Cotton Yarn : 209.66%
7. Cotton Fabrics : 22.11% rise
8. Blue Denim : 351% rise
9. Knit Fabrics : 150% rise
10. Cotton Hosiery : 358% rise
11. Cotton Bed Linen : 25.15% rise
12. Terry Towels : 47% rise
13. Cotton Apparel : 17.30% rise
Category Jan/Sep 2005 Jan/Sep 2006 %change % share in World Total for Jan/Sep 2006
World 300 364.656 336.993 -7.59 100.00
301 452.106 480.383 6.25 100.00
Total 816.762 817.376 0.08 100.00
India 300 5.301 8.828 66.53 2.62
301 15.628 62.520 300.06 13.01
Total 20.929 71.348 240.90 8.73
China 300 1.703 8.926 424.16 2.65
301 16.703 5.164 -69.08 1.07
Total 18.406 14.090 -23.45 1.72
Pakistan 300 157.856 166.951 5.76 49.54
301 131.361 145.280 10.60 30.24
Total 289.217 312.231 7.96 38.20
300 – Carded cotton yarn; 301 -- Combed cotton yarn
Conversion factor: 8.5 SME = 1 Kg.
The TEXPROCIL informs us "It is remarkable that Indian imports have grown from 5.301 MSME to 8.828 MSME. This performance is all the more commendable because in a falling market, India has shown a growth and that too when in the corresponding period of the previous year, the performance was meagre.."
"..The growth in case of India for Combed cotton yarn (Category 301) is tremendous rising from 15.628 MSME to 62.520 MSME. Looked at differently, the growth in imports of this product from all sources has been to the extent of 28.277 MSME of which the maximum has been on account of imports from India alone. Compared to this, imports from China have declined by 69%.."
Does Shri Goyal think that Indian cotton farmers are so foolish, as to accept his prescriptions regarding the reasons for their suicides ? How can he even think of insulting the cotton farmers of Vidarbha like this, in the face of the strong surge in Indian cotton exports ? Maybe with such intellectually dishonest bureaucrats, to look after them, the Vidarbha cotton farmers are better off having no hope rather than listen to such patently absurd agricultural prescriptions.
Incredible India. The only country where bureaucrats in the garb of Relief Commissioners have the job of giving sugar coated pills to farmers, instead of bitter medicine.
If Indian cotton exports, are doing so well in US markets, even against suppliers like China and Pakistan, why are the cotton growers of Vidarbha only only facing the prospects of suicides and sugar coated pills from senior bureaucrats shedding crocodile tears ?
Check out the cotton export figures for yourself and ask Shri Goyal what new story he wants to tell Vidarbha farmers ? - http://www.texprocil.com/monthly/usaqty_sep06.doc
Shri Goyal claims that the cotton farmer has become a bonded labourer on his own farm who cannot afford to even pay wages. The real answer he does not provide is whose bonded labourer is the Vidarbha cotton farmer ? Who is benefitting from the bondage of the Vidarbha farmer ?
But then maybe, Shri Goyal is after all, fire fighting on somebody else's behalf, and is just trying to concoct excuses and stories for his political masters. After all, everyone has to earn a living.
Shri Goyal has tried to shed a few tears, for suicidal cotton farmers, of Vidarbha, and rattled off figures of how much interest waivure, has been provided to the farmers on their loans. He says no government in the world can subsidize 60% farmers. He however, is pointedly silent on why these loans were advanced to farmers in the first place if cultivating cotton in Vidarbha is such a risky proposition. Did the ministers, government departments and senior responsible officers,not know that cultivating resource intensive cotton in Vidarbha is a risky proposition ?
I wish to point out some of the cotton export figures of India for the period January 2006 - September 2006 to show how Shri Goyal is trying to deflect attention from governmental dishonesty.
US Imports from India : Rise in percentage from previous year in same period -
1. Textiles and Apparel : 16.75% rise
2. Yarns : 136.96% rise
3. Fabrics : 27.36% rise
4. MadeUps : 8.53% rise
5. Apparel : 11.32% rise
6. Cotton Yarn : 209.66%
7. Cotton Fabrics : 22.11% rise
8. Blue Denim : 351% rise
9. Knit Fabrics : 150% rise
10. Cotton Hosiery : 358% rise
11. Cotton Bed Linen : 25.15% rise
12. Terry Towels : 47% rise
13. Cotton Apparel : 17.30% rise
Category Jan/Sep 2005 Jan/Sep 2006 %change % share in World Total for Jan/Sep 2006
World 300 364.656 336.993 -7.59 100.00
301 452.106 480.383 6.25 100.00
Total 816.762 817.376 0.08 100.00
India 300 5.301 8.828 66.53 2.62
301 15.628 62.520 300.06 13.01
Total 20.929 71.348 240.90 8.73
China 300 1.703 8.926 424.16 2.65
301 16.703 5.164 -69.08 1.07
Total 18.406 14.090 -23.45 1.72
Pakistan 300 157.856 166.951 5.76 49.54
301 131.361 145.280 10.60 30.24
Total 289.217 312.231 7.96 38.20
300 – Carded cotton yarn; 301 -- Combed cotton yarn
Conversion factor: 8.5 SME = 1 Kg.
The TEXPROCIL informs us "It is remarkable that Indian imports have grown from 5.301 MSME to 8.828 MSME. This performance is all the more commendable because in a falling market, India has shown a growth and that too when in the corresponding period of the previous year, the performance was meagre.."
"..The growth in case of India for Combed cotton yarn (Category 301) is tremendous rising from 15.628 MSME to 62.520 MSME. Looked at differently, the growth in imports of this product from all sources has been to the extent of 28.277 MSME of which the maximum has been on account of imports from India alone. Compared to this, imports from China have declined by 69%.."
Does Shri Goyal think that Indian cotton farmers are so foolish, as to accept his prescriptions regarding the reasons for their suicides ? How can he even think of insulting the cotton farmers of Vidarbha like this, in the face of the strong surge in Indian cotton exports ? Maybe with such intellectually dishonest bureaucrats, to look after them, the Vidarbha cotton farmers are better off having no hope rather than listen to such patently absurd agricultural prescriptions.
Incredible India. The only country where bureaucrats in the garb of Relief Commissioners have the job of giving sugar coated pills to farmers, instead of bitter medicine.
If Indian cotton exports, are doing so well in US markets, even against suppliers like China and Pakistan, why are the cotton growers of Vidarbha only only facing the prospects of suicides and sugar coated pills from senior bureaucrats shedding crocodile tears ?
Check out the cotton export figures for yourself and ask Shri Goyal what new story he wants to tell Vidarbha farmers ? - http://www.texprocil.com/monthly/usaqty_sep06.doc
Shri Goyal claims that the cotton farmer has become a bonded labourer on his own farm who cannot afford to even pay wages. The real answer he does not provide is whose bonded labourer is the Vidarbha cotton farmer ? Who is benefitting from the bondage of the Vidarbha farmer ?
But then maybe, Shri Goyal is after all, fire fighting on somebody else's behalf, and is just trying to concoct excuses and stories for his political masters. After all, everyone has to earn a living.
Friday, February 16, 2007
No government on earth can subsidize 60% Farmers
Dr Sudhir Kumar Goyal, Divisional Commissioner, Relief, Amravati, in an interview, has said that immediate relief had been given to farmers where interest worth Rs 782 cores had been waived off. But the entire loan cannot be waived. "Subsidies are given. But no government on earth can give subsidy to 60% of its farmers."
The Vidarbha farmers have been given fresh loans, which Dr Goel said was three times more than in the past.
This is called "singing a tune as per the ears of the listener". This is a sure indication that Congress political bigwigs are beginning to wake up to the rural crisis in Vidarbha and are being given instructions to dirty their white cotton linen kurtas and designer goggles. Politicians are now instructing bureaucrats to begin to appear reasonable and avoid the image of apathy and callous behaviour towards farmers.
After years of hiding the facts, then cautiously being forced to admit it, in the face of rising media pressure, local government officials have begun to sing a different from the tune that is being sung by the Indian Prime Minister, the Sensex Minister and the Cricket Ministers.
Let us see in which direction, the issue of Indian farm suicides heads now. Congress cannot risk an electoral rout in Vidarbha. It is now a matter of time before top Congress think tanks begin to look at the issue of agrarian suicides. And yes, they will first ask the Indian bureaucracy to shoulder the blame rather than take the blame on faulty agricultural prescriptions of last six decades which skim rural surplus for industrial subsidization.
Attempts will now be made to blame the plight of Vidarbha farmers, on faulty implementation of the Vidarbha package announced by the Prime Minister.
The real question not being asked is why, when the richest consumers on earth are shifting to wearing cotton, cotton growers in India are committing suicides.
Linen suits retail for Rs 8000, and cotton trousers are retailing in Western markets for Rs 2500.
The WTO Multi Fibre Agreement is rolled out and yet the Vidarbha cotton growers are suffering.
Should they not have been the richest farmers in the world by now ?
Is the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati not still talking on behalf of his masters and trying to sell a new story to the cotton farmers of Vidarbha ?
We will now hear many different perspectives on why farmers are committing suicides but people are still not ready to do a stock taking of the last six decades of New Delhi and Mumbai backed plunder of Indian rural areas.
The Vidarbha farmers have been given fresh loans, which Dr Goel said was three times more than in the past.
This is called "singing a tune as per the ears of the listener". This is a sure indication that Congress political bigwigs are beginning to wake up to the rural crisis in Vidarbha and are being given instructions to dirty their white cotton linen kurtas and designer goggles. Politicians are now instructing bureaucrats to begin to appear reasonable and avoid the image of apathy and callous behaviour towards farmers.
After years of hiding the facts, then cautiously being forced to admit it, in the face of rising media pressure, local government officials have begun to sing a different from the tune that is being sung by the Indian Prime Minister, the Sensex Minister and the Cricket Ministers.
Let us see in which direction, the issue of Indian farm suicides heads now. Congress cannot risk an electoral rout in Vidarbha. It is now a matter of time before top Congress think tanks begin to look at the issue of agrarian suicides. And yes, they will first ask the Indian bureaucracy to shoulder the blame rather than take the blame on faulty agricultural prescriptions of last six decades which skim rural surplus for industrial subsidization.
Attempts will now be made to blame the plight of Vidarbha farmers, on faulty implementation of the Vidarbha package announced by the Prime Minister.
The real question not being asked is why, when the richest consumers on earth are shifting to wearing cotton, cotton growers in India are committing suicides.
Linen suits retail for Rs 8000, and cotton trousers are retailing in Western markets for Rs 2500.
The WTO Multi Fibre Agreement is rolled out and yet the Vidarbha cotton growers are suffering.
Should they not have been the richest farmers in the world by now ?
Is the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati not still talking on behalf of his masters and trying to sell a new story to the cotton farmers of Vidarbha ?
We will now hear many different perspectives on why farmers are committing suicides but people are still not ready to do a stock taking of the last six decades of New Delhi and Mumbai backed plunder of Indian rural areas.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Daksha Ignores Shiva
In Hindu mythology, Daksha is regarded as one of the progenitors of mankind. Daksha is also known for being the father in whose house, Uma or Parvathi took birth. The great yagya instituted by Daksha, is known to many Indian villagers, who believe in the virtues and faith of Parvathi, as representative of the family devotion that a married woman is expected to have in the Indian rural setting towards her duties and well being of her family.
Needless to say, India is no more the same India, nor is Bharat the same Bharat. Bharat from which India took shape, is these days trampled by urban interests and neglect. We now hear that after farmers of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, Andhra, Kerala, farmers of Uttar Pradesh, from where Mrs Sonia Gandhi contests parliamentary elections, are also learning the virtues of desperate mass suicides as the visible face of Indian government's agricultural policies and undeclared farm exit policy.
U.P. farmers too, are joining the Indian farm band wagon, and also taking to suicides, to escape the fate of rural debt, and forcible land and assets recovery operations, that Congress economic policies are leading them towards.
I do wonder, when the Farmer Leaders will give a call for farmers to Quit their Land in the villages and make a mass exodus for Indian urban life.
"Apni Zameen Chhodo" -
Indian urban life, is a fast emerging paradise, that even the likes of Tesco, Walmart, Marks and Spencers, Adidas, Nike, European banks and investment majors, financial services companies, are eyeing with great affection. So why not the Indian farmer ?
Why is the Indian farmer unable to see the charm and attraction of Indian urban life ? Anyone who puts on a thinking cap, knows that is " where the action is ".
Gaon Chhodo, Shahar Chalo - this I am sure is the only solution to the problems of Indian farmers. Chinese farmers of course have restrictions on their migratory freedom. Indian farmers need to make the best of their current migratory freedom, before some legislation in India, bans them from voluntarily leaving agriculture.
Maybe, the Indian farmer is still traditional, illiterate, old fashioned in his thinking, and steeped in traditions, and thus feels hesitant about going to the house of his daughter in law in the cities, to escape his dire situation. But yes, one of these days, the Indian farmer will have to understand that his future, depends on discarding his false pride and moving en masses to the house of his daughter in law (bahuriya ka ghosla), who lives in the city.
There will surely be initial discomforts and hiccups, but overall his situation will improve for the long term better. All the leading so called economic pundits of India, say with a wink .. "afterall, no gain without pain.." Some use more fanciful terms like structural adjustments.
"Bahuriya ke ghar chalte hain" ... this must be the song on the lips of Indian farmers. And of course, there can be some very good lyrics to accompany this song title. And music, oh, just think of the sheer creative possibilities of setting this song to lilting music and celebratory thumkas, dhol and drums, shehnai and guitars, folk as well as modern versions of the songs, will sell exceedingly well in all the outskirts of Indian cities. Who said there is no money to be made in entertainment from rural areas ?
T-Series can bring out a "Top Collections" of Aaj Ke Kisan Ki Awaaz - casette and I am sure it will make some people very, very rich.
"Ab der kis baat ki bhaya, bahuriya ke ghar chalo, bahuriya ke haath ki chai shahar chal ke piyenge, mastee se pade rahenge, TV aur fillum dekhenge ...".
Farmer leaders, need to give this call in every Indian village, and then see how the pessimism of Indian farmers changes to long term optimism. Suicides rates will come down and urban areas will experience unprecedented growth.
Indian GDP projections will go straight out of the roof, foreign investments will shoot up, stock brokers, investment consultants, forex experts, hedge funds and wealth managers will make a beeline for India.
The Indian Finance Minister, Commerce Minister and Agriculture Ministers, will be parcelling out, rapid fire, 5 minute appointment slots, as European business leaders, and trade delegations, line up outside the Delhi, South Bloc offices. Things will become terribly busy for these three ministries and 24 hour days will be short.
China will be forced to reconsider its ban on farmer migrations to urban areas, industrial labour strategies, Special Export Zones, as it feels that the yawning Indian Tiger will shoo away, if not swallow, the Chinese panda. Maybe, in return, the border row will also be forgiven and forgotten, as Indians and Chinese premiers, embrace to kiss and tell and sell. They will wonder how the Indians have woken up to the powerful strategy of an undeclared Farm Exit policy, and taken a page from their manuals.
The Chinese will try to read up on the wonderful economic strategy, and whisk away the secret team of economic think tanks, of Indian political and development planners, for trebling growth every Five Years. And mind you, not just wishy washy future projections and PowerPoint slides, but real, solid statistics.
But while everyone will see the merits of this approach to economic restructuring, the Indian farmer may still fight shy of overcoming his old fashioned views of not going to the house of his urban daughter in law. For after all, he stills lives under a " false sense of pride ", and refuses to learn anything at all from the TV soap serials that attempt to mentally prepare him for his urban push and how he must carry himself in the cities.
And yes, to delay his decision, on this uncomfortable lifestyle choice, he will raise silly, diversionary questions.
Like ...
... who will look after the village lands in my absence, will they not become fallow ?
... who will feed the birds that gather daily around me ?
... who will reassure the buffalo and her calf every morning at dawn ?
... What if the daughter in law refuses to make chapatis ?
... What if I nostalgically miss the village banter of childhood friends around the hookah ?
Yes this is certainly tricky, and maybe some expensive psychiatrists, corporate gurus, motivation pundits, lifestyle trainers, can be persuaded to offer motivational sessions for Indian farmers as they ponder the question of significant lifestyle changes.
For after all, reading the writing on the wall, is what all consultants are about. Swallow the bitter pill now else...a stich in time, saves nine...etc, etc
After all, a sniff of the countryside will do them also some good, now that six lane excellent highways have been laid for their Toyota Corollas, in the name of upgrading rural infrastructure.
As regards, the farmer assets, left behind in the villages, no need to worry, Indian bankers, economists, agricultural scientists and Planning Commission, can take just what they want... maybe we can have a whole range of new, innovative, courses in Agricultural Research and Extension Institutes on - Best Practices for Leaving Fertile Land Fallow - How food crop seeds can be treated for 5 year delayed harvest - after all who in his right mind wants to do Contract Farming in the villages of India ?
Maybe switch roles for 5 Years and see the success of this Alternative Five Year Plan ?
Any ISB Hyderabad grads out there who want to try this strategy of making India a Global Power ? If the Railway Ministry can inspire Kellogg and American management under grads, why cant we inspire ISB grads ? The whole world has its eyes on us now.
Think outside the groove... that is what they say, dont they...
Needless to say, India is no more the same India, nor is Bharat the same Bharat. Bharat from which India took shape, is these days trampled by urban interests and neglect. We now hear that after farmers of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, Andhra, Kerala, farmers of Uttar Pradesh, from where Mrs Sonia Gandhi contests parliamentary elections, are also learning the virtues of desperate mass suicides as the visible face of Indian government's agricultural policies and undeclared farm exit policy.
U.P. farmers too, are joining the Indian farm band wagon, and also taking to suicides, to escape the fate of rural debt, and forcible land and assets recovery operations, that Congress economic policies are leading them towards.
I do wonder, when the Farmer Leaders will give a call for farmers to Quit their Land in the villages and make a mass exodus for Indian urban life.
"Apni Zameen Chhodo" -
Indian urban life, is a fast emerging paradise, that even the likes of Tesco, Walmart, Marks and Spencers, Adidas, Nike, European banks and investment majors, financial services companies, are eyeing with great affection. So why not the Indian farmer ?
Why is the Indian farmer unable to see the charm and attraction of Indian urban life ? Anyone who puts on a thinking cap, knows that is " where the action is ".
Gaon Chhodo, Shahar Chalo - this I am sure is the only solution to the problems of Indian farmers. Chinese farmers of course have restrictions on their migratory freedom. Indian farmers need to make the best of their current migratory freedom, before some legislation in India, bans them from voluntarily leaving agriculture.
Maybe, the Indian farmer is still traditional, illiterate, old fashioned in his thinking, and steeped in traditions, and thus feels hesitant about going to the house of his daughter in law in the cities, to escape his dire situation. But yes, one of these days, the Indian farmer will have to understand that his future, depends on discarding his false pride and moving en masses to the house of his daughter in law (bahuriya ka ghosla), who lives in the city.
There will surely be initial discomforts and hiccups, but overall his situation will improve for the long term better. All the leading so called economic pundits of India, say with a wink .. "afterall, no gain without pain.." Some use more fanciful terms like structural adjustments.
"Bahuriya ke ghar chalte hain" ... this must be the song on the lips of Indian farmers. And of course, there can be some very good lyrics to accompany this song title. And music, oh, just think of the sheer creative possibilities of setting this song to lilting music and celebratory thumkas, dhol and drums, shehnai and guitars, folk as well as modern versions of the songs, will sell exceedingly well in all the outskirts of Indian cities. Who said there is no money to be made in entertainment from rural areas ?
T-Series can bring out a "Top Collections" of Aaj Ke Kisan Ki Awaaz - casette and I am sure it will make some people very, very rich.
"Ab der kis baat ki bhaya, bahuriya ke ghar chalo, bahuriya ke haath ki chai shahar chal ke piyenge, mastee se pade rahenge, TV aur fillum dekhenge ...".
Farmer leaders, need to give this call in every Indian village, and then see how the pessimism of Indian farmers changes to long term optimism. Suicides rates will come down and urban areas will experience unprecedented growth.
Indian GDP projections will go straight out of the roof, foreign investments will shoot up, stock brokers, investment consultants, forex experts, hedge funds and wealth managers will make a beeline for India.
The Indian Finance Minister, Commerce Minister and Agriculture Ministers, will be parcelling out, rapid fire, 5 minute appointment slots, as European business leaders, and trade delegations, line up outside the Delhi, South Bloc offices. Things will become terribly busy for these three ministries and 24 hour days will be short.
China will be forced to reconsider its ban on farmer migrations to urban areas, industrial labour strategies, Special Export Zones, as it feels that the yawning Indian Tiger will shoo away, if not swallow, the Chinese panda. Maybe, in return, the border row will also be forgiven and forgotten, as Indians and Chinese premiers, embrace to kiss and tell and sell. They will wonder how the Indians have woken up to the powerful strategy of an undeclared Farm Exit policy, and taken a page from their manuals.
The Chinese will try to read up on the wonderful economic strategy, and whisk away the secret team of economic think tanks, of Indian political and development planners, for trebling growth every Five Years. And mind you, not just wishy washy future projections and PowerPoint slides, but real, solid statistics.
But while everyone will see the merits of this approach to economic restructuring, the Indian farmer may still fight shy of overcoming his old fashioned views of not going to the house of his urban daughter in law. For after all, he stills lives under a " false sense of pride ", and refuses to learn anything at all from the TV soap serials that attempt to mentally prepare him for his urban push and how he must carry himself in the cities.
And yes, to delay his decision, on this uncomfortable lifestyle choice, he will raise silly, diversionary questions.
Like ...
... who will look after the village lands in my absence, will they not become fallow ?
... who will feed the birds that gather daily around me ?
... who will reassure the buffalo and her calf every morning at dawn ?
... What if the daughter in law refuses to make chapatis ?
... What if I nostalgically miss the village banter of childhood friends around the hookah ?
Yes this is certainly tricky, and maybe some expensive psychiatrists, corporate gurus, motivation pundits, lifestyle trainers, can be persuaded to offer motivational sessions for Indian farmers as they ponder the question of significant lifestyle changes.
For after all, reading the writing on the wall, is what all consultants are about. Swallow the bitter pill now else...a stich in time, saves nine...etc, etc
After all, a sniff of the countryside will do them also some good, now that six lane excellent highways have been laid for their Toyota Corollas, in the name of upgrading rural infrastructure.
As regards, the farmer assets, left behind in the villages, no need to worry, Indian bankers, economists, agricultural scientists and Planning Commission, can take just what they want... maybe we can have a whole range of new, innovative, courses in Agricultural Research and Extension Institutes on - Best Practices for Leaving Fertile Land Fallow - How food crop seeds can be treated for 5 year delayed harvest - after all who in his right mind wants to do Contract Farming in the villages of India ?
Maybe switch roles for 5 Years and see the success of this Alternative Five Year Plan ?
Any ISB Hyderabad grads out there who want to try this strategy of making India a Global Power ? If the Railway Ministry can inspire Kellogg and American management under grads, why cant we inspire ISB grads ? The whole world has its eyes on us now.
Think outside the groove... that is what they say, dont they...
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Mohan Dharia - Farm Debt Campaign
Farmer organizations of India need a two pronged strategy, to make the campaign on farm debt successful. At one level, they have to seriously consider the strategy of leaving their fields fallow for one year, growing only food grain crops for their family consumption, rather than the domestic or export market. This will assist the politicians like Shri Sharad Pawar and economists like ManMohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, in importing foodgrains, from global markets, to their heart's content. This would also help in India, making a rapid entry into the good books of USA and Europe, and in lieu, getting their support on the nuclear and Security Council issues.
Secondly, farmer organizations must convince farmers that agricultural land is by no means a boon in modern India, rather, it is a liability for themselves and for their next generation. The sooner they discard their precious land and move en masse to cities, the better off they will be. If at all the Indian politicians, want them to remain chained to agriculture, the Government should take over ownership of all their agricultural lands, reorganize it into large profitable holdings, retrain farmers on how to adopt modern agricultural practices, and employ farmers, on a fixed salary, that is enshrined in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. This will be the correct way, of ushering in the Second Green Revolution in India, rather than just exhorting ignorant and bewildered farmers to stop taking their lives, and linking up with private sector and contract farming. Modern modes of production riding on the back of reorganized agricultural land, American agricultural practices, B-school management and marketing talents, snipping the farm dependant population of India to 10% of India's population is the only way forward.
Secondly, farmer organizations must convince farmers that agricultural land is by no means a boon in modern India, rather, it is a liability for themselves and for their next generation. The sooner they discard their precious land and move en masse to cities, the better off they will be. If at all the Indian politicians, want them to remain chained to agriculture, the Government should take over ownership of all their agricultural lands, reorganize it into large profitable holdings, retrain farmers on how to adopt modern agricultural practices, and employ farmers, on a fixed salary, that is enshrined in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. This will be the correct way, of ushering in the Second Green Revolution in India, rather than just exhorting ignorant and bewildered farmers to stop taking their lives, and linking up with private sector and contract farming. Modern modes of production riding on the back of reorganized agricultural land, American agricultural practices, B-school management and marketing talents, snipping the farm dependant population of India to 10% of India's population is the only way forward.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Farm Suicides in America and India
In a very touching gesture, the US Department of Agriculture Secretary, Mike Johanns, took note of the large scale farmer suicides in India, as also the ongoing national campaign to draw attention to the indifference of Indian Central government, to address the fundamental causes behind large scale farm suicides.
In India, the statistics are chilling - 150,000 farmer suicides in a decade. Considering that one farmer on an Indian farm supports and feeds a family of about 6-10 members, the calamity that the Indian countryside is facing becomes very obvious. But Americans have an easy explanation on how to swallow this bitter pill with a cheerful smile.
The Secretary was taking note of this fact during a visit to New Delhi in November 2006, and described the situation as "a complex issue". Complex it is all right, we all know that ! Thanks for telling us this Mr Secretary.
But the most bewildering part of the Secretary's observations about Indian farmer suicides, was when he opened his mouth on the issue of subsidies to farmers in US versus the subsidies to farmers in Europe.
Not to be side tracked, by the issue of large scale, Indian farmer suicides, the Secretary came up with the most insensitive, and callous of comparisons, that can possibly be made by some one who operates routinely in the political and foreign relations realm.
The Secretary made light of the "complex issue of farmer financial distress" by coming up with a formula, of comparing the Indian farm suicides with the farmer suicides in US. The sugar coated pill he tried to force down Indian politicians, and food policy analysts, was that - quote ".. in per capita terms, the number of suicides in both countries is the same"..unquote.
One can draw the obvious conclusion - an Indian farmer's life is equivalent to just 5% of an American farmers life. Three cheers to free world and new global order.
I would certainly not like to believe that the Secretary actually meant what he said. Because if he did, then one realizes the very insidious nature of the attitude of American politicians to farm issues in the developing countries and their total disregard for human life, when it comes to agricultural trade issues, and finding global markets for American farm produce.
This does remind me, of the observation of the Indian science historian, Dharampal, that - "The tendency of the western nations is that they will try to eliminate those that do not live up to the standard which they define as civilisation, this is the rule and it is considered correct. Darwin's theory comes much later, the main thing is that this is the way in which the west thinks. Survival of the fittest, and others have to either be fit or let to wither away - if not helped in the process. They will not be bothered if few lakh rural Indians die of natural calamity. This is not a problem for them, those people are any way not fit to live, so let them die will be the attitude."
Says quite a bit about free trade in agriculture, lobbyists and arm twisters, and the American and European friends of Indian farmers.
In India, the statistics are chilling - 150,000 farmer suicides in a decade. Considering that one farmer on an Indian farm supports and feeds a family of about 6-10 members, the calamity that the Indian countryside is facing becomes very obvious. But Americans have an easy explanation on how to swallow this bitter pill with a cheerful smile.
The Secretary was taking note of this fact during a visit to New Delhi in November 2006, and described the situation as "a complex issue". Complex it is all right, we all know that ! Thanks for telling us this Mr Secretary.
But the most bewildering part of the Secretary's observations about Indian farmer suicides, was when he opened his mouth on the issue of subsidies to farmers in US versus the subsidies to farmers in Europe.
Not to be side tracked, by the issue of large scale, Indian farmer suicides, the Secretary came up with the most insensitive, and callous of comparisons, that can possibly be made by some one who operates routinely in the political and foreign relations realm.
The Secretary made light of the "complex issue of farmer financial distress" by coming up with a formula, of comparing the Indian farm suicides with the farmer suicides in US. The sugar coated pill he tried to force down Indian politicians, and food policy analysts, was that - quote ".. in per capita terms, the number of suicides in both countries is the same"..unquote.
One can draw the obvious conclusion - an Indian farmer's life is equivalent to just 5% of an American farmers life. Three cheers to free world and new global order.
I would certainly not like to believe that the Secretary actually meant what he said. Because if he did, then one realizes the very insidious nature of the attitude of American politicians to farm issues in the developing countries and their total disregard for human life, when it comes to agricultural trade issues, and finding global markets for American farm produce.
This does remind me, of the observation of the Indian science historian, Dharampal, that - "The tendency of the western nations is that they will try to eliminate those that do not live up to the standard which they define as civilisation, this is the rule and it is considered correct. Darwin's theory comes much later, the main thing is that this is the way in which the west thinks. Survival of the fittest, and others have to either be fit or let to wither away - if not helped in the process. They will not be bothered if few lakh rural Indians die of natural calamity. This is not a problem for them, those people are any way not fit to live, so let them die will be the attitude."
Says quite a bit about free trade in agriculture, lobbyists and arm twisters, and the American and European friends of Indian farmers.
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