The recent farm protests of 2020-21 in India have brought to light the deep-rooted agrarian crisis that has been plaguing the country for decades. Farmers from various states, primarily Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting against the new farm laws introduced by the Indian government, arguing that these laws will only serve to further exploit them and benefit big corporations. This essay will delve into the history of the agrarian crisis in India, the factors that have led to the protests, and the implications of these protests on the future of Indian agriculture.
The agrarian crisis in India can be traced back to the Green Revolution of the 1960s, which introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to increase agricultural productivity. While the Green Revolution initially led to a significant increase in food production, it also had negative consequences for farmers. Small and marginal farmers, who constitute the majority of the farming community in India, were unable to afford the high costs of inputs, leading to a cycle of debt and poverty. Additionally, the focus on cash crops and monoculture led to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity.
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