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After two straight years of substandard yields, a beacon of bright light finally appeared in mid-January 2024. According to Agricultural Minister <keyword id="20373047" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="arjun-munda" source="keywords">Arjun Munda</keyword>, Indian farmers had sown more <keyword id="47374" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="wheat" source="Orion">wheat</keyword> than in the previous years this time around, which could help the nation set a new wheat production record during the ongoing 2023-24 <keyword id="50895" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crop" source="Orion">crop</keyword> year. But the weather, it appears, had other plans. You see, wheat is extremely sensitive to high temperatures! Last year, temperature fluctuations played a major role in the overall shortfalls and subsequent food price inflation. However, the expectations of a bumper <keyword id="6417335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harvest" source="Orion">harvest</keyword> this year received a boost when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) also predicted that March maximum temperatures were likely to remain normal to below normal in many parts of several wheat-growing states — including <keyword id="19911160" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab" source="keywords">Punjab</keyword>, a major part of India’s “food bowl” states. But just as the farmers were preparing to harvest the yield of their hard labour, disaster struck. Untimely hailstorms and heavy rain lashed some parts of India's wheat-cultivating belt in the last couple of weeks, threatening the dream of a record-breaking crop yield this year. These storms wreaked havoc in Punjab, in particular, damaging around 1,50,000 hectares of wheat and rapeseed crops that now lay slouched over in the fields. Now, farmers anxiously await damage assessments while bracing for potential yield losses due to the severe weather. Further, the downpours and hail, combined with forecasts of above-average temperatures and heatwave days in some other parts of Northwest India in March, could spell more trouble for the upcoming harvest. Wheat is harvested between April and May. According to IMD’s long-range summer forecast, daytime temperatures are likely to be above normal in most of the country from March to May — including in about half of Punjab. In addition, all of the wheat-belt states, including Punjab, <keyword id="19904807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="haryana" source="keywords">Haryana</keyword> and Uttar Pradesh, will see more than the usual number of heatwave days this summer season. All of these factors could have an effect on the wheat output this year. However, there is still reason for cautious optimism. The recent hail-affected area represents only a small fraction of India's overall wheat plantings, and some crops are expected to recover. According to a report by the Business Standard, experts explained that some of the hail-bent wheat will revive, and overall, the crop condition appears promising at the moment. It is a crucial time for India in terms of crop output. The farm ministry had predicted a record wheat harvest of 112 million tons in 2024, which would have allowed them to lift 2022’s shipment curbs that had been put in place to ensure <keyword id="118345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-security" source="Orion">food security</keyword> and control domestic prices in the nation. It remains to be seen if the weather damage forces them to reconsider these plans.

Last-minute patch of intense rain and hail affects wheat harvest across India’s ‘food bowl’ states

<ul><li>The idea behind the three new laws liberalising agriculture must be welcomed but that is not a case against the farmers’ right to protest. </li><li>The existing system has barely worked and there is a need for a fresh thought and approach to end the distress that farmers face every year in most parts of the country.</li><li>The <keyword id="180204" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers-from-Punjab">farmers from Punjab</keyword> are up in arms because they fear losing the assured procurement by the government at a minimum support price, and being at the mercy of corporate buyers. </li><li>While the Central government may choose to compensate for any loss of revenue for farmers, the fears around APMC stem from a lack of trust. </li></ul>Farmers are protesting three new laws passed by the <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> government at the Centre in New Delhi. The idea behind the three laws is to liberalise agriculture whereas the farmers, particularly those from Punjab, fear that they will lose the assurance that their produce will be bought by the government at a set price⁠— something they have enjoyed for decades. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="79567981" title="Farmers in India are calling for a nationwide shutdown on December 8 as the protests against new farm laws intensify" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The other big fear, across the country, is the dependence on corporates because the new laws may kill the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), a regulatory body that is in charge of building and managing a dedicated marketplace where farmers can come and sell their produce. The first one may be an easier problem to solve Business Insider <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/apmc-and-msp-will-continue-under-new-farm-bills-2020/slidelist/78230172.cms">has earlier argued</a> that the idea behind the new laws must be welcomed but that is not a case against the farmers’ right to protest. The existing system has barely worked and there is a need for a fresh thought and approach to end the distress that farmers face every year in most parts of the country. <div type="image" title="farmers1" msid="79603202" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers from Punjab and Haryana gathered against farmer&amp;#39;s bill at Singhu Border on December 4&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> There is a need to build trust, assuage their fears and, maybe, compensate them for the legitimate losses that may occur due to the new laws. According to one estimate, by an eminent agricultural economist, Ashok Gulati ⁠— who supports the new legislations⁠ — <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/punjab-farmers-protests-farm-laws-7094357/">a ₹10,000-crore package</a> for the farmers in Punjab should suffice. Right now, the farms in Punjab ⁠— one of the country’s most prosperous, receiving more subsidy and irrigation than any other part in India ⁠— primarily grow paddy and wheat, and rely on the government to buy the produce. Gulati is of the view that farmers in Punjab are caught in an MSP trap and the new laws will help them get out of it. <div type="image" title="farmers4" msid="79603230" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers prepare food on one side of the barricades at Delhi Meerut Expressway along the UP-Delhi border (Ghazipur) as the police stands watch on the other side&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The second issue stems largely from lack of trust And as another senior journalist, Harish Damodaran, the Editor for rural affairs and agriculture for The Indian Express ⁠— who said it would be retrograde to make <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/videos/agriculture/legalising-msp-is-retrograde-anti-market-would-be-good-if-govt-repeals-farm-laws-harish-damodaran-7651671.htm">minimum support price (MSP) a legal right</a>⁠— has argued, there is <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/farmers-big-concern-and-what-govt-could-negotiate-7073291/">only one contentious issue</a>: whether agricultural produce should be sold outside the APMC market? Farmers ⁠— and more importantly, state governments that make a lot of money from the levies at the APMC markets ⁠— fear that these laws will eventually make these mandis ineffective and leave them at the mercy of corporate buyers. <div type="image" title="farmers5" msid="79603264" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers gathered at the Singhu border between the national capital, New Delhi, and Haryana on Sunday, December 6&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The government has repeatedly assured the farmers that APMC markets will continue but that hasn’t worked. Adding a safeguard provision in the law, aside from developing trust and the art of convincing, may be the need of the hour. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/petrol-is-less-than-a-rupee-away-from-being-more-expensive-than-it-has-ever-been-for-indian-consumers/articleshow/79601841.cms">Petrol is less than a rupee away from being more expensive than it has ever been for Indian consumers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-10-billion-ipo-will-double-walmart-investment-within-3-years/articleshow/79601513.cms">Flipkart’s reported $10 billion IPO plan will mean Walmart’s investment in the Indian e-commerce giant will double within 3 years</a>

₹10,000 crore and trust⁠— here’s what may convince the farmers to end the protest against the new laws

Farmers protesting against the Centre's three <keyword id="9970645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="farm-laws">farm laws</keyword> across <keyword id="6354953" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword> and <keyword id="41646" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Haryana">Haryana</keyword> on Wednesday observed as a '<keyword id="80230" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Black-Day">Black Day</keyword>' to mark six months of the agitation. At most of the places, both in rural and urban areas, farmers staged <keyword id="6354896" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="protests">protests</keyword> against the controversial farm laws. They put up black flags atop their houses and burnt effigies of Central government leaders. In a Bhiwani village in Haryana, farmers burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting since November last year on Delhi borders against the agricultural laws. Heavy police presence could be seen at various places in Haryana and Punjab to maintain law and other in view of the protests. There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the states. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a former ally of the BJP, participated in the protest. "As the Kisan Andolan completes six months today, I again urge the Centre to deal compassionately with farmers and repeal the black laws," said SAD President Sukhbir Badal, who hoisted a black flag atop his residence in his native village Badal in Punjab's Bathinda district. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-moves-the-delhi-high-court-against-indias-new-it-laws-says-report/articleshow/82965251.cms">WhatsApp moves the Delhi High Court against India’s new IT laws, says report</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/cyclone-yaas-will-unleash-its-fury-for-another-12-to-18-hours-after-making-landfall/articleshow/82964922.cms">Cyclone Yaas will unleash its fury for another 12 to 18 hours after making landfall</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-is-giving-away-9000-worth-google-stadia-bundle-for-free-but-its-not-available-in-india/articleshow/82965884.cms">OnePlus is giving away ₹9,000 worth Google Stadia bundle for free – but it’s not available in India</a>

Farmers Protest: Farmers from Haryana and Punjab observe 'Black Day' to mark six months of the agitation

New Delhi, The protest by farmers camping at the borders of the national capital continued for the 42nd day on Wednesday. The leaders of the farmers unions demanding the <keyword id="589066" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="repeal">repeal</keyword> of the three new <keyword id="9970645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="farm-laws">farm laws</keyword> and the procurement of crops at the <keyword id="76332" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Minimum-Support-Price">Minimum Support Price</keyword> (MSP) are now readying for a 'Tractor March' announced by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways on Thursday. Harinder Singh Lakhowal, <keyword id="6354953" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword> farmer leader and General Secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), told IANS that preparations were on to intensify the agitation and make the programme on Thursday a success. He informed that farmers from Punjab are coming with their tractors for the march. Farmers from <keyword id="41646" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Haryana">Haryana</keyword>, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are also joining the rally. <keyword id="6497740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers-leaders">Farmers leaders</keyword> said the 'Tractor March' would be a trailer of the 'Republic Day Parade' scheduled on <keyword id="47381" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="January">January</keyword> 26. After the seventh round of talks with the Central government on Monday remained inconclusive, the farmers decided to take out a 'Tractor March' on January 7. Earlier the Samyukta Kisan Morcha had scheduled the rally for January 6 but due to the bad weather forecast the march was postponed to January 7. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has also announced a public awareness campaign as well as several other programmes from January 6 to January 20. The SKM said the death anniversary of Sir Chhotu Ram will be observed on January 9. Sir Chhotu Ram is remembered as a farmer leader. After this, the farmers will celebrate Lohri on January 13 and Makar Sankranti on January 14 as 'Sankalp Diwas'. Withdrawal of The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 enacted by the Central government and the legal guarantee for procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price is being demanded by the farmers, who have been camping at the borders of Delhi since November 26, 2020. After the seventh round of talks between the farmers-Central government failed to arrive at a consensus on Monday, the next round of talks has been fixed for January 8. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/here-are-the-top-10-virus-and-diseases-that-could-cause-the-next-pandemic-if-they-arent-stopped-in-their-tracks/slidelist/80116787.cms">Diseases deadlier than COVID-19 are already in the making — here are the top ten candidates that could cause the next pandemic</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/analysts-explain-why-burger-king-and-mrs-bectors-shares-fell-with-a-thud-and-what-to-do-now/articleshow/80120941.cms">Analysts explain why Burger King and Mrs Bector’s shares fell with a thud — and what to do now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-bajaj-finance-hdfc-bank-beml-indigo-godrej-consumer-hero-moto-and-others/articleshow/80126217.cms">Top stocks to watch — Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, BEML, IndiGo, Godrej Consumer, Hero Moto, and others</a>

Farmers' Protest: Farmers leaders to prepare for 'Tractor March' on January 7

<ul><li>It’s been over 30 days since farmers protesting India’s new farming laws have gathered at New Delhi’s borders.</li><li>Since the December 8 nationwide Bharat Bandh, farmers’ protests have also erupted in other parts of the country. </li><li>The farmers’ agitation is on the rise and they refuse to give into the government’s narrative. </li><li>Asking supporters to boycott Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani businesses, protestors have also reportedly been damaging telecom towers in agitation against Reliance Jio.</li></ul>It’s been over a month since farmers arrived at the border of India’s national capital, New Delhi, to protest the country’s three new contentious farm laws. What started out as peaceful protests centered around one city have now expanded to other cities with pockets of violence emerging in places. The critical sixth round of talks scheduled to take place on December 29 has now been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/government-calls-for-a-sixth-round-of-talks-with-protesting-farmers-organisations-on-december-30/articleshow/79993405.cms">postponed to December 30</a> at the government’s request. The delay comes even as the agitation among protesting farmers is on the rise, and they refuse to give into the government’s narrative. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to assuage them thus far have failed. <div type="image" title="protests" msid="80006747" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Protestors at Singhu border during farmers&amp;#39; protest against India&amp;#39;s new farm laws&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The farmers claim that the laws are biased to play into the hands of big corporates, who only care about the bottom line in the long run. The government, on the other hand, believes that the new laws will fetch the farmers better prices and more options to sell their produce. The lack of trust between the two sides seems to be widening. It has even captured the attention of international governments — some of whom have questioned India's government’s handling of the situation. <div type="image" title="protests1" msid="80006770" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Kisan Mall has been set up at Singhu border, which sells everything from thermals to desi geysers to toothpaste&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Farmers’ protests in India turn violent in agitation against Reliance Jio Farmers in India have called for a boycott of products by companies owned by billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. Since last week, farmers have reportedly been damaging telecom towers in Punjab to protest the monopolistic practices of Reliance Jio, owned by Ambani. According to the protestors, India’s new arm laws play in favour of the giant corporates and will cause farmers more harm than good in the long run. <div type="image" title="protests3" msid="80006789" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A woman holds a placard at Singhu border where the farmers protest against the Center&amp;#39;s farm laws, in New Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> According to the government, over 1,500 telecom towers have been ‘impacted’ by farmers in Punjab. But, only 23 towers have sustained actual damage. Nonetheless, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh issued a warning, directing the police to take strict action against anyone seen participating in vandalism or the disruption of telecom services. <div type="image" title="protests7" msid="80006801" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers during the protest against Farm bills at Ghazipur in New Delhi &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It seems to have done little to dissuade some parties. In Punjab’s Moga, farmers were reportedly spotted damaging telecom towers on December 29, even after Singh’s warning. This is the same region where Adani had already set up silo for crops, well before the new laws came into being. Before the march to Delhi, one of the protests to get the government’s attention was outside the same warehouse. The farmers have one main demand — repeal the laws Some farmer’s unions have localised issues that they want addressed. However, the primary cause of impasse between the Indian government and the farmers is that the latter is firm on its main demand — repeal the three new laws. <div type="image" title="protests8" msid="80006811" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers during a protest against the Center&amp;#39;s farm laws at Singhu Border&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Their other demands include, but are not limited to: <ol><li>A written assurance that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme will continue in the future</li><li>The central government should drop amendments to the Electricity Ordinance 2020</li><li>Reduce and amend the penalties for stubble burning</li><li>Release farmers arrested on charges of stubble burning in Punjab</li><li>No impact on land ownership of farmers</li></ol>Farmers protests spread beyond the national capital — and beyond India Small scale protests started in Punjab as early as August when the new farmer laws were made public. It was only two months later that the unions issued the call for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ (Let’s go to Delhi) march. After the first few rounds of talks between the government and union leaders, the centre issued a new proposal agreeing to all of the farmers’ demands but one — repealing the new farm laws entirely. <div type="image" title="protests2" msid="80006828" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Farmers sitting against India&amp;#39;s new farm laws performing yoga on the Chilla border&amp;lt;span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The farmers shot down the government’s proposal and called for a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-farmers-call-for-bharat-bandh-on-december-8-amid-protests/articleshow/79567981.cms">nationwide Bharat Bandh on December 8.</a> Thereafter — even though most widespread protests continue to be centred around Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh — demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other states. A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/farmers-protest-farmers-from-maharashtra-joined-protestors-at-delhi-border/articleshow/79966263.cms">group of farmers from 21 districts in Maharashtra</a> started on a ‘vehicle march’ from Nashik and have joined the protestors along Delhi’s borders. <div type="image" title="protests5" msid="80006849" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;New tents placed by farmers at Gazipur border during a protests in New Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Several Indian-American protests were also held outside Indian consulates in San Francisco, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York, Houston, Michigan, Atlanta and Washington D.C. Even in New Zealand, 1,500 protesters gathered around Auckland’s Aotea Square to raise their voice against the new laws. Labour party members in the UK have also expressed their support and raised concerns as to how the Indian government is handling the crisis. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/three-anil-ambani-companies-accused-of-fraud-ten-times-more-than-vijay-mallya/articleshow/80002892.cms">Three Anil Ambani companies have reportedly been accused of fraud by banks⁠ — the amount at stake is nearly ten times more than what Mallya owed</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/jack-ma-ant-group-asked-to-overhaul-its-business-model-by-china-central-bank/articleshow/79987683.cms">China's central bank wants Jack Ma's Ant Group to overhaul its business model</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/top-10-most-expensive-natural-disasters-of-2020-in-the-world/slidelist/79986294.cms">Cyclone Amphan was the most expensive cyclone of 2020 and the fourth most expensive natural disaster overall</a>

From uprooting mobile towers to cries of #BoycottJio— the farmers’ protests in India are heating up and spreading far and wide

Different protesting <keyword id="500933" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Punjab-farmer">Punjab farmer</keyword> bodies on Tuesday decided to hold talks with the Centre over the <keyword id="10002582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-farm-laws">new farm laws</keyword> in New Delhi on Wednesday. The decision to this effect was taken by representatives of several farmers' organisations at a meeting here. A seven-member panel has been formed to hold talks with the Centre, said Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) chief <keyword id="276944" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Balbir-Singh-Rajewal">Balbir Singh Rajewal</keyword> while addressing the media here. "We have decided that representatives of all farmers' bodies will attend the meeting," said Rajewal. The leaders included in the panel are Balbir Singh Rajewal, <keyword id="4361892" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="darshan-pal">Darshan Pal</keyword>, Jagjit singh Dalewal, <keyword id="33921" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="jagmohan-singh">Jagmohan Singh</keyword>, Kulwant Singh, Surjit Singh and Satnam Singh Sahni. Earlier on Monday, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, a farmers' body in Punjab, decided not to attend the meeting called by the Union Agriculture Department on October 14. The farmers' organisations, whose agitation against the laws has disrupted rail traffic and severely impacted coal supply to thermal power plants in Punjab, had last week rejected the Centre's invitation to participate in a "conference to address their concerns" on October 8. Rajewal said as per the invitation sent by the secretary of the Union Agriculture Department, the Centre wants to hold talks with them. "We are going because if we continue to reject the invitation, then they will say we are not ready for any talks. We do not want to give them any excuse. We will go there," said Rajewal. Farmers in Punjab have been demanding that the three laws passed by Parliament recently be repealed. Farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws will pave a way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates. The government, however, has been saying that the laws passed by Parliament recently amid a vociferous protest will raise farmers' income, free them from the clutches of the middlemen and usher in new technology in farming. <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/airtel-partners-with-aakash-institute-to-bring-medical-and-engineering-education-content-to-its-dth-platform/articleshow/78640408.cms">Airtel partners with Aakash Institute to bring medical and engineering education content to its DTH platform</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-posts-stable-quarter-profit-rises-3-2-with-revenue-guidance-of-1-5-to-3-5-over-the-next-three-months/articleshow/78640025.cms">Wipro posts stable quarter — profit rises 3.2% with revenue guidance of 1.5% to 3.5% over the next three months</a>

Farm laws: Punjab farmer bodies to talk to Centre

New <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword>, Seeking to break the deadlock over protests against <keyword id="10002582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-farm-laws">new farm laws</keyword>, the government on Saturday told representatives of agitating farmers that they are ready to address all their concerns with an open mind, sources said. At the beginning of the fifth round of talks here at Vigyan Bhawan, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told a group of 40 representatives of various farmer unions that the government is committed to cordial talks and welcomed all positive feedback on the new farm laws, sources said. Later, Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, an MP from Punjab, addressed the leaders in Punjabi and said the government understands the sentiments of Punjab. "We are ready to address all your concerns with an open mind," a source quoted Parkash as telling the union leaders. The talks between the government and the protesting unions began around 2.30 pm and was also attended by Railway, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal. In his opening remarks, Tomar, who is leading the talks for the Centre, said the government is committed to "peaceful talks with farmers' leaders and does not intend to hurt farmers' sentiments". The agriculture minister welcomed feedback on the three farm laws, while agriculture secretary Sanjay Agarwal summarised the proceedings of the previous four rounds of talks with farmer unions during the meeting, sources said. The two sides are believed to have discussed contentious issues like provision of dispute resolution and registration of traders in proposed private mandis under the new laws. Ahead of the meeting, Tomar and Goyal, along with senior union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliberate over proposals likely to be made to the agitating groups. Modi's decision to hold deliberations with Union ministers, who have so far been the face of the Centre's efforts to end the farmers' agitation, signifies the importance the prime minister has attached to defuse the crisis, sources said. On Thursday, talks between the Union ministers and a representative group of thousands of agitating farmers had failed to yield any resolution, as the union leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of new farm laws despite the government offering to "discuss and consider with an open mind" some key points of concern raised by farmers in the three new laws. Farmers on Friday announced a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 and threatened to intensify their agitation and block more roads leading to the national capital if the government does not accept their demands. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been presented by the government as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of <keyword id="76332" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Minimum-Support-Price">Minimum Support Price</keyword> and scrap the mandis, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. The Centre has maintained the MSP and mandi systems would continue and would be rather further improved and strengthened. Undeterred by the winter chill, thousands of farmers have stayed put at various border points of Delhi for the past nine days as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws. Before the start of the meeting, an All India Kisan Sabha functionary said only repealing of the new farm laws will end the stalemate. "At this juncture, we have transport unions, retail businesses and other associated groups who have shown solidarity with us. Our movement is not just about farmers," AIKS finance secretary Krishna Prasad said. Outside the meeting venue, employees of the Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA), which has supplied vehicles for the transit movement of the protesting farmers, were seen holding a banner which read 'We support farmers' and shouting slogans backing the peasants' agitation. "I belong to a farmer's family. I can relate to their fears. We had farmland at Mahipalpur and now you see T-3 terminal out there. We are supporting the protesting farmers in their cause," IITA president Satish Sehrawat told . He said the association is providing transportation facility to the farmers since their first meeting. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) state general secretary Onkar Singh Agaul said: "Our demand remains the same that the government should withdraw all three farm laws. We want MSP should be guaranteed through law". He also sought scrapping of electricity amendment law and an ordinance on stubble burning. BJP leader from Punjab Surjit Kumar Jayani, while entering Vigyan Bhawan along with his party colleague Harjeet Singh Grewal, hoped the issue will be resolved soon. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/ultratech-cements-5477-crore-expansion-plan-is-a-sign-that-birla-is-betting-on-a-faster-economic-recovery/articleshow/79549626.cms">UltraTech Cement's ₹5,477 crore expansion plan is a sign that Birla is betting on a faster economic recovery</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/sbis-mobile-banking-app-is-down-for-the-third-time-in-last-30-days/articleshow/79548953.cms">SBI’s mobile banking app is down for the third time in 30 days — digital services take a hit for the 25th time this year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-believes-that-inflation-is-likely-to-remain-elevated-in-the-winter-months/articleshow/79559454.cms">RBI governor believes inflation is likely to remain elevated this winter</a>

Farmers' protest: Ready to address all concerns, government tells farmer unions at crucial meeting

Chandigarh, Apr 3 () The Punjab government is working out a mechanism for procuring wheat from the doorsteps of farmers to check overcrowding in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The state government has already postponed wheat procurement, which is likely to start from April 15. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday asked the state agriculture and food departments to work out ways to procure wheat grain from within the villages that are located more than one to two kilometers from the mandis, to check overcrowding during the Rabi season in view of Covid-19 restrictions. Reviewing the harvesting and marketing arrangements through a video conference with officials of these departments, the chief minister directed them to minimise the exposure of the farmers, an official statement said here. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also approved the state government's request for the release of Rs 22,936 crore against cash credit limit for April 2020, it said. On the issue of procurement, while an Uber-type system of pooling farmers to the distant mandis, on the lines of the suggestion made by the Prime Minister, could be considered, the chief minister said he was open to accepting the proposal of the Chief Secretary to arrange for doorstep procurement of grain if comprehensive modalities can be worked out to ensure feasibility. While around 50 per cent of the villages in the state are located in close proximity to the mandis and curfew passes could be issued to the farmers to go there in small batches at a time, for the villages in distant areas, the Chief Secretary suggested sending officials to handle the procurement. Arhtiyas, who currently undertake bagging of the grain in the mandis, could be entrusted with the task of handling it in the villages itself, he added. The chief minister asked the chief secretary to submit a detailed proposal so that a final decision in this regard could be taken in the next couple of days. He also directed Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar to get the rules amended to provide for payment to farmers through arhtiyas (commission agents). The chief minister also directed to increase the number of purchase centres and total procurement days to ensure that farmers do not overcrowd the mandis. He said the arrangements will again be reviewed in the cabinet meeting scheduled on Saturday. Agriculture Secretary Vishwajit Khanna said incentives for staggered marketing, which the state government had already suggested to the Centre, would go a long way in checking crowds at the mandis and purchase centres, as that would encourage farmers to delay bringing in their produce. Updating the chief minister about the other logistics being put in place for the season, Khanna said in case the West Bengal government, which had ordered closure of jute mills till April 6, does not open the same, the shortage of bales in Punjab would be met through PP bags, which are currently under production. Of the five lakh bales needed, 2.5 lakh have been received so far, he added. All arrangements are in place for sanitisation and distribution of masks to procurement agency staff and farmers (through arhtiyas), said Khanna, adding that segregation and marking was being done at the mandis for social distancing. The bales would also be kept at a distance, he said, adding that during peak season, stocks would be accepted only from farmers carrying tokens issued by the administration/police. CHS VSD ABMABM

Punjab working out mechanism to procure wheat from farmers' doorsteps

Chandigarh, Hundreds of <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword> from Punjab started gathering on Wednesday morning on the interstate borders along Haryana that has restricted their movement towards national capital Delhi for their '<keyword id="748575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-chalo">Delhi Chalo</keyword>' protest against the three <keyword id="10094053" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="central-farm-laws">central farm laws</keyword>. As a preventive step, neighbouring BJP-ruled Haryana has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent assembly of protesters. Also, the police had taken nearly 100 farmer leaders from the state into "preventive custody". As per the police estimates, around 2,00,000 farmers from Punjab are set to leave for Delhi as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' agitation from November 26. Farmer body Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) President Balbir Singh Rajewal said Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has got sealed the interstate borders for Punjab farmers to prove that "Punjab is not part of India". "We will peacefully block the routes to Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir. Will start dharna on the roads," he tweeted. Rajewal questioned Khattar for refusing to give passage to the farmers to go to the national capital. The farmers affiliated to 33 organisations are part of the United Farmers Front, an all-India body of over 470 farmer unions that will participate in the indefinite protest in the national capital from November 26. The <keyword id="535201" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="protesting-farmers">protesting farmers</keyword> have threatened to block all roads to Delhi if they were denied permission to travel towards Delhi. The Delhi Police asked the farmers not to enter Delhi as they don't have permission to protest in the city. The Haryana Police too have issued a travel advisory, asking commuters to avoid certain national highways along the state border with Punjab and Delhi for three days, starting Wednesday, in the wake of the protest. Road blockades have been put at several places along the state border as per Chief Minister Khattar's directive to ensure "law and order", the police said. A state police spokesperson told IANS that elaborate arrangements have been made by the civil and police administration. The primary objective of these arrangements is to maintain proper law and order to prevent any kind of violence, facilitate functioning of traffic and public transport systems and to ensure public peace and order. The spokesperson said a large number of protesters are likely to enter Haryana from Punjab through various border entry points for their onward journey towards Delhi. The main focus points of the protestors originating from within Haryana will be the four major national highways leading towards Delhi, i.e., Ambala to Delhi, Hisar to Delhi, Rewari to Delhi and Palwal to Delhi. A specific call has been given by protesting organisations for congregation at Shambhu border near Ambala city, Mundhal Chowk in Bhiwani district, Anaj Mandi in Gharaunda town in Karnal district, Tikri border in Bahadurgarh town in Jhajjar district, and the Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Rai in Sonipat district. The spokesperson said that to ensure appropriate law and order arrangement, it is likely that the traffic diversion or roadblocks may be put up by the police on November 25, 26 and 27. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday welcomed the Centre's decision to take forward the talks with various farmer organisation on the farm laws issue in Delhi on December 3. He said the forthcoming talks would pave the way for early redressal of the concerns of the farmers on the Central agricultural laws. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Ekta Dakonda) President Buta Singh Burjgill said the 'langar' (free meal service) will go on until the Central government takes back the laws. "It will be a historic protest in Delhi amid the presence of two lakh farmers. We won't go back from our protest even half an inch." Farmers protesting against the laws have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the 'mercy' of big corporate entities.

'Delhi Chalo': Hundreds of protesting farmers gather along Punjab-Haryana border

New Delhi, The seventh round of talks between protesting farmer unions and three central ministers got underway here on Monday afternoon to break the over-a-month-long deadlock on recent farm <keyword id="72809" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Laws">laws</keyword>. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railways, Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Parkash, who is an MP from <keyword id="6354953" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword>, are holding the talks with the representatives of 40 farmer unions at the Vigyan Bhawan. The meeting began with paying respects to the <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword> who lost their lives during the ongoing protest, sources said. On December 30, the sixth round of talks was held between the <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword> and the farmer unions, where some common ground was reached on two demands -- decriminalisation of stubble-burning and continuation of power subsidies. However, no breakthrough has been reached so far on the two main demands of the protesting farmers -- a repeal of the three recent farm laws and a legal guarantee to the MSP procurement system. On Sunday, Tomar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the government strategy to resolve the current crisis at the earliest, sources said. Tomar discussed with Singh "all possible options" to find a "middle path" to resolve the crisis, they added. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various Delhi borders for over a month against the three laws. They have stayed put despite heavy rains and waterlogging at protest sites over the last couple of days, besides severe cold weather conditions prevailing in and around the national capital. Enacted in September 2020, the government has presented these laws as major farm reforms and aimed at increasing farmers' income, but the protesting farmers have raised concerns that these legislations would weaken the MSP and "mandi" (wholesale market) systems and leave them at the mercy of big corporations. The government has maintained that these apprehensions are misplaced and has ruled out repealing the laws. While several opposition parties and people from other walks of life have come out in support of the farmers, some farmer groups have also met the agriculture minister over the last few weeks to extend their support to the three laws. Last month, the government had sent a draft proposal to the protesting farmer unions, suggesting seven-eight amendments to the new laws and a written assurance on the MSP procurement system. The government has ruled out a repeal of the three agri laws. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/big-money-chasing-bitcoin-takes-the-cryptocurrency-to-a-new-record-high-of-34000/articleshow/80090730.cms">Big money chasing Bitcoin takes the cryptocurrency to a new record high of $34,000</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pongal-plus-election-dole-cash-rice-sugar-cashews-and-clothes-for-210-million-people-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/80091546.cms">Pongal plus election dole: Cash, rice, sugar, cashews and clothes for 210 million people in Tamil Nadu</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-motors-stock-surge-the-early-trading-hours-today-after-the-company-reported-a-21-increase-in-total-vehicle-sales/articleshow/80092876.cms">Tata Motors’ rallies over 3% as it outshines Mahindra and Maruti in December sales</a>

Farmers' protest: Seventh round of talks between Centre and farmer leaders begin to break deadlock over agri laws

<ul><li>The farmer tried to commit suicide at a protest site in Badal village, the hometown of the Badals, in Muktsar district.</li><li>Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) state secretary Shingara Singh Mann said farmer Pritam Singh, 60, was disturbed over the passing of the agriculture Bills in the <keyword id="6355187" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword>.</li></ul> A day after the Lok Sabha passed two contentious agriculture Bills, despite the opposition by BJP's oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal terming it as an "anti-farmer" move, a protesting farmer in Punjab on Friday tried to commit suicide by consuming poisonous substance. The farmer tried to commit suicide at a protest site in Badal village, the hometown of the Badals, in Muktsar district. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) state secretary Shingara Singh Mann said farmer Pritam Singh, 60, was disturbed over the passing of the agriculture Bills in the Lok Sabha. The farmer feared that the Bills would be against the <keyword id="45092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmers">farmers</keyword>. The condition of the farmer is stated to be serious. The farmers have been staging a protest at the Badal village just outside the residence of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal against the Bills brought by the Central government. Akali Dal's lone minister in the Narendra Modi government, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, resigned from the Union Cabinet on Thursday to protest the Farm bills. While announcing the decision to withdraw the minister from the Union Cabinet, SAD President Sukhbir Badal said the party would continue to support the government and the BJP, but will oppose the anti-farmer policies. He said the three agriculture related Bills in the Lok Sabha would sound the death knell for 20 lakh farmers, three lakh 'mandi' labourers, 30 lakh farm labourers and 30,000 'arhatiyas', besides destroying the food grain procurement system established over a period of 50 years. Earlier, warning that enacting laws on the ordinances issued by the Centre vis-a-vis farmers would lead to unrest in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had led a Congress delegation to Governor V.P. Singh Badnore, seeking his intervention for non-pursuance of the three agriculture-related Bills in Parliament. The Chief Minister submitted a memorandum to the Governor and told him that the Congress felt that any move to "tinker with the present procurement system, and that too in the times of a nationwide crisis, may deepen social unrest among Punjab farmers". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/president-kovind-accepts-harsimrat-kaur-badals-resignation/articleshow/78179496.cms">President Kovind accepts Harsimrat Kaur Badal's resignation</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/ikeas-push-to-reach-100-million-customers-in-india-will-see-the-swedish-retail-giant-bet-on-online-and-smaller-stores/articleshow/78179851.cms">IKEA’s push to reach 100 million customers in India will see the Swedish retail giant bet on online and smaller stores</a>

Punjab farmer attempts suicide over the three-agricultural bills passed in Lok Sabha

Farmers' organisations from Punjab on Wednesday boycotted a meeting called by the Union agriculture ministry to resolve their concerns over new <keyword id="9970645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="farm-laws">farm laws</keyword>, and accused the government of playing double standards with no minister present to hear them out. Representatives from 29 farmers' organisations, including Joginder Singh-led Bharati Kissan Union, were miffed at the absence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State for Agriculture in the meeting. The meeting was convened at the Krishi Bhavan amid police security to avoid any protest. After the meeting, agitated farmers' representatives were seen shouting slogans and tearing copies of new farm laws outside Krishi Bhavan. More than 30 representatives, who had come in a bus, were mostly senior citizens but had not even worn face masks despite the COVID-19 pandemic. "No proper discussion took place. Neither Union agriculture minister nor junior ministers were present to hear our concerns. We asked why the minister is not meeting us, why the government is playing double standards by calling us here and ministers holding virtual meetings in Punjab. There was no proper response," Darshan Pal, member of the coordination committee of 29 farmers' organisations, told after the meeting. Since there was no response from Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal, who was chairing the meeting, farmers' organisations decided to boycott the meeting, he said. "BJP leaders are holding virtual meetings in Punjab and talking against us. We are called to Delhi and no minister wants to listen to us," Pal, who also heads the Krantikari Kisan Union Punjab, added. Harjinder Singh from Ajad Kisan Sangathana said, "The agriculture secretary had invited us to take our feedback on the new farm laws. We thought the agriculture minister would be there, but only the secretary was present." The secretary tried to explain that the new laws are good and will yield good results in future, he said. "We knew the secretary had no authority and there is no point discussing it with him. We decided to boycott," he added. Bharati Kissan Union State President Joginder Singh in a representative made to the government has demanded repeal of the recent farm laws, legally ensure minimum support price (MSP) for crops, implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission among others. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana and other states are protesting against new farm laws which they feel will lead to procurement in the hands of corporates and the end of MSP. Meanwhile, the central ministers are reaching out farmers, scientists and agri professionals in Congress-ruled Punjab to clear misgivings about new farm laws. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/investments-in-indian-startups-have-reached-pre-covid-levels-thanks-to-deals-bagged-by-late-stage-companies/articleshow/78661809.cms">Investments in Indian startups have reached pre-COVID levels thanks to deals bagged by late-stage companies</a>

You Searched For "farmers from Punjab" and got 12 results

Last-minute patch of intense rain and hail affects wheat harvest across India’s ‘food bowl’ states

Ankush Banerjee

₹10,000 crore and trust⁠— here’s what may convince the farmers to end the protest against the new laws

Sriram Iyer

Farmers Protest: Farmers from Haryana and Punjab observe 'Black Day' to mark six months of the agitation

IANS

Farmers' Protest: Farmers leaders to prepare for 'Tractor March' on January 7

IANS

From uprooting mobile towers to cries of #BoycottJio— the farmers’ protests in India are heating up and spreading far and wide

Prabhjote Gill

Farm laws: Punjab farmer bodies to talk to Centre

PTI

Farmers' protest: Ready to address all concerns, government tells farmer unions at crucial meeting

PTI

Punjab working out mechanism to procure wheat from farmers' doorsteps

PTI

'Delhi Chalo': Hundreds of protesting farmers gather along Punjab-Haryana border

IANS

Farmers' protest: Seventh round of talks between Centre and farmer leaders begin to break deadlock over agri laws

PTI

Punjab farmer attempts suicide over the three-agricultural bills passed in Lok Sabha

IANS

Punjab farmers boycott meeting called by Union agriculture minister on new farm laws

PTI

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