‘MSP is wrong instrument to raise farmers’ income, contract farming would be better: Dr Ashok Gulati

The benefits of contract farming, allowing private sector in agriculture, how MSP is not the right tool to help farmers, and the contours of a ‘New Deal’ for farmers by the government. Agricultural economist Dr. Ashok Gulati discusses these and more with Deputy Editor TCA Sharad Raghavan in #ThePrintInterview.
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[@yogeshsingh4910]

Only one who has constantly and repeatedly talked sense on rural economy. Never shied away from criticizing govt either. Yet...it is dangerous people like Yogendra Yadav who so called farmers from Punjab listen to

[@arunsar7893]

Yongendra Yadav listens to no one. He desperately wiggles into any political space he finds.

[@Mike-rw1jw]

Free market principles CANNOT be applied to basic most farm produce. These are essential for human survival and hence cannot be left to the mercy of corporate greed. You can let a company that makes cars or jewelry etc to go down but you cannot afford to lose farmers from farming. When you cannot assure them atleast 50% profit over what they invested, it is not sustainable. Why is it so difficult to understand ?

[@Mike-rw1jw]

when petrol, diesel and cooking gas are sold at 600% profit (via tax) by the govt no one bats an eye.... but when farmers demand 50% profit, everyone loses their mind. Gulati throws irrelevant ideas like changing the crops and starting export to gulf as a solution to MSP demand. what a joke! even if govt were to plan initiatives to towards that may be in next 5 years, until then MSP should be guaranteed. What would Gulati say if he booked a ticket to pathan movie but the ticket seller instead hands him a ticket to adipurush ? his suggestions are that ludicrous.

[@arunsar7893]

@@Mike-rw1jw "Incoherent rambling of the ideological mind" .. Realising this summer in the theatre close to you. Watch free of cost.

[@Mike-rw1jw]

​@@arunsar7893 tu modi ki pichwaade se nikal pehle

[@Iammeaayush]

best interview from Print in a long long time... well Done this is the journalism we expect. Not singing one sided song.. You clearly differentiate yourself from the crowded media space. Bravo

[@rajx7120]

ThePrint has always been balanced. They logically supported the farm laws in 2020, when you were watching Republic TV, and shouting Khalistan Khalistan.

[@Little-bird-told-me]

skill issue

[@GayathriK-re7wt]

​@@rajx7120Not really

[@Jagadish_rathod]

​@@rajx7120😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@Jagadish_rathod]

​

[@akashtiwari5729]

History will be kinder and more appreciative of Dr. Gulati's ideas and scholarship on Indian agriculture & possible reforms. Thank you for your work, sir 🇮🇳🙏🏻✨️ your opinion pieces in The Indian Express are insightful indeed.

[@Savi3_1]

2:13 But he is wrong. If Land is taxed based on the Ready reckoner and if the ready reckoner is the minimum price of the land, then it violates supply and demand principle.

[@JohnSmith-vn8dm]

What does this have to do with land prices? That is a different subject. He is talking about the supply and demand of agricultural products. The advantage of the pricing system is explained in a great lecture by Mr. Friedman called "I, pencil". To summarize, free floating prices accomplish 2 very important things, firstly they convey information about what is actually needed by consumers, secondly they incentivize producers with direct financial reward to produce what is most desired by the consumer at the least cost. With MSP and urea subsidies farmers will only produce what is covered by MSP and uses lots of urea as opposed to other inputs. That is not the farmers fault, they are not intentionally trying to damage the environment and deplete the water table, but it is the only rational move given the incentive structure. Ultimately this doesn't benefit the consumer nor the farmer and the MSP products are low value add. This system also favors the larger richer farmers because when the MSP is above the market price there will be a surplus of agricultural product. At 100 rupees I may buy all your wheat, but if wheat is 150 rupees maybe I will eat rice instead. So what will you do with all the extra wheat, who do you think will be able to offload this? It is not the poor farmer, if he sells the product below the MSP he will be thrown in jail. The rich farmers with connections will be able to transport their crop to states without MSP and sell, and they will bribe the babus in government to stockpile it. The poor farmer is the one left at the mercy of bureaucrats. The best solution is to raise the incomes of farmers and support them in better ways. Direct income support is one idea. It is how other rural schemes have avoided the haggling and disrespect from babus. On a relative basis this also benefits small farmers more. With MSP the person who produces more benefits to a larger extent than the person who produces less, since they can take more advantage of the higher price. With income support every farmer benefits the same, regardless of how much land they have and how much they can produce. This is the logic behind income support programs. This is why MSP must be replaced with better systems.@@Savi3_1

[@arunsar7893]

​@@Savi3_1Except here 'Minimum Support Price's is really like Maximum support Price. It's way above the average market price most of the time,, and specifically for some crops.

[@rohanch07]

Gulati will be history soon. Bloody Sanghis.

[@libshastra]

Fulfilling MSP will kill India's remaining industry completely. Just look at Punjab, until the late 2000s Punjab used to have really competitive industries. Punjab used to be the Shenzhen of Sporting equipment. They are all gone since the burden of MSP and endless demands for free electricity and loan waivers was placed on Punjab's industry. A similar fate awaits rest of India if we let farmers get their way.

[@AmalTan]

And sadly that is what is likely to happen to rest of India. Modi has shown no spine on internal issues except where muslims are involved.

[@libshastra]

@@AmalTanI disagree. I think Modi has handled internal issues better than previous Govts. However with the current protests, Jury is still out there but this protest seems to be limited to Punjabi Jatts and they've been unable to solicit support from Canadian Punjabis and Khalistanis. I think the actions of Unknown person are providing dividends.

[@hindrastra3915]

@@AmalTan And what good would spine do? Citizens would always side with farmers. Ruling party will lose election if they even tried to show spine. I'm sure you remember what happened to the farm laws. The gov can not win against the will of people. Sadly citizens are stupid in majority.

[@puneetmishra4726]

​@@AmalTanThe problem is that Indian people have unusual and irrational sympathy for the farmers and they value them too much with "Annadata" type epithets. The govt can't conduct strict action even if they want to without losing support. However, in this case they don't even need to. It is clear that these protests are mainly from Punjabis and Jats who wish to maintain their monopoly and benefits. They clearly have no nationwide support.

[@CR-bi9ug]

People have zero idea of economics. They think socialism is some manna from heaven.

[@hemancrazy2035]

But Farm laws are reapealed.. Farmers Trapped in their own sins

[@mountolympus1098]

All farmers trapped in sins created by Funjabi mundas

[@svanimation8969]

​@@mountolympus1098is it possible to apply the law on state based cmapaoghn ...? To prove it work or not ? Or give states options to choose !

[@libshastra]

@@svanimation8969that's how the current system works. The issue is you can't sell across State lines. So if Punjab overproduces wheat, it can't sell it to other States directly. It has to sell it thru the Mandi system. If the Mandi is full, you're taking 100% of the loss even if MSP was increased by 300% This is exactly what happens every harvest season. While farmers from other States make money selling excess produce to other states, private player and food processing industries, farmers in Punjab are forced to let their produce rot because their Mandis are full.

[@gadiyaram13]

Surprised to see The Print does have an unbiased video.....no nonsense and unbiased ...... To the point.....great....

[@nitindesai268]

It's precisely due to the fact that MSP cannot be a viable solution that they want to protest. They very well know that govt will not agree...this way they can justify continuation of protests. Imagine if govt agreed, it will take the wind out of their sails and they would think of another unreasonable demand to continue the protests!

[@Mike-rw1jw]

then why did modi give a letter to dr.manmohan singh demanding the exact same MSP guarantee ?

[@kalyana9705]

They already started other unreasonable demands like India should withdraw from WTO and Modi, Shah should resign. Tomorrow they will demand a bungalow and 1cr salary.

[@noneoftheabove666]

In most parts if the world (recently in Europe) the farmers are on the streets protesting the severe government regulations and interventions in the agriculture sector. But its the exact opposite in India, here the farmers want more regulations and more government intervention. Bizarre world!!!

[@AnkitSingh-ku6je]

That's the irony...plus they are not farmers....they are andolnajeevis

[@Abhishek-nj6rf]

Everybody know what farmer are doing is wrong. But no political party can point out directly. Like this. We can be Congress Mukt Bharat but can't be socialism Mukt Bharat 😂😂😂

[@anandms7537]

Socialism is embedded in indian bloods even the so called bjp supporters are also socialist.

[@mountolympus1098]

These demands are even beyond socialism

[@JohnSmith-vn8dm]

The problem is people are too concerned with demonizing the other side. Farmers are just people trying to earn a living like anyone else, they are not some brave heroes in a holy profession nor some anti-national devils. And the government is not unconcerned either, they have been providing subsidies for the farmers while trying to balance cost and consumer interest as well. Rather than calling the farmers anti-national or the government pro-corporate, both sides should sit down together and negotiate. If Dr. Gulati can explain this to us on KZbin, surely he can supply-demand curves and why MSP/export bans are damaging to the relevant parties. But first you have to cool the temperature and bring down tensions. The national discourse has reached such a pitch from every side that it is hurting the ability to solve the actual problem.

[@Savi3_1]

आपके बुढ़ापे में आपकी बेटियों के साथ बृजभूषण का साथ रहे।

[@rishavkumar1250]

​@@Savi3_1 तू पहले बर्तन मांझ जा

[@amardyutibasu5901]

Dr. Gulati has always been a great personality when it comes to agriculture value development. Thanks to The Print for this interview. It was insightful and thoughtful

[@sadanandgote5544]

What the farmers actually want is that the govt should buy whatever is produced at cost plus basis, irrespective of whether or not there is demand for all they produce. This is practically not possible.

[@Nomad97249]

Who is deciding the price in the name of comodity

[@sadanandgote5544]

@@Nomad97249 it should not be decided by govt. Let market forces- demand and supply decide it

[@Nomad97249]

@@sadanandgote5544 this is most of the time proactive measures and decided on commodity traders

[@svanimation8969]

​@@Nomad97249it's market demand and it's supply decide the Price

[@rohanch07]

@@sadanandgote5544Farmer should decide the price just like pharma company decide the price of medicine they make.

[@dukhi_aatma372]

Decades of pampering of Punjab farmers by Government, and also by Bollywood to some extend, have made them stubborn and rigid to change. Today many other states like MP have zoomed past Punjab in agricultural output but Punjab famers still living in this 80s world - assuming they are still the leaders and only they understand farming. This stubborn attitute and refusal to change is the primary reason for their problem and they want the entire country to compensate for it by the means of MSPs!

[@vinaykhanna3472]

Did you even listened to this discussion. Boss, this is not about Punjab, it's for entire farming community.

[@ramachandrankannan274]

Many valid points and sensible suggestions. However, when he talks of compensation to farmers for the ban on wheat exports, he ignores the role of the Arathiyas. Also Punjab farmers represent a small fraction of the Indian Agricultural sector. India suffers from a bias towards farmers near Delhi. It is high time farmers across India are treated equally. Farming in Punjab is very backward compared to other states in terms of yields and input requirements. The issue is the MSP system has given them an incentive to continue with outdated practices

[@oyehoyemon2286]

This new deal for Punjab from golden temple is amazing! Prof. often says he doesnt understand politics, but this is a brilliant idea. Politics + econ FTW! We must realign incentives to save a border state from feeling even more unstable!

[@nivanbagchi2398]

I read your articles for the indian express with utmost anticipation. Thank you for your work sir.

[@Kenkalsi]

Government should stop purchasing from Punjab. This blackmail must end. Import wheat if needed but dont buy from Punjab.

[@govitm5774]

Hope you do understand imoorting will cost more than sourcing inside the country - with Ukraine-Russia where you can import from?

[@Kenkalsi]

@@govitm5774 expensive but this blackmail of Sikhs must end.

[@rishavkumar1250]

​@@Kenkalsi these are mainly Sikh Jhatts... with surnames like gill,aulakh, Randhawa

[@irsharma]

Do this programme in local languages all over India. Hundreds of agricultural universities should move to villages and Tak with farmers..

[@samkedar]

3 farm laws were passed for same purpose, but that was derided as privatization, Ambani/adani takeover. Political shortsidedness and Modi hatred has brought us here again. If MSP is given farmer can sell to private sector at even higher value. This incentivizes more production. But when production is more than demand it drives prices down. So now farmer can’t get any price outside FCI. FCI has to sell and it loses huge money. cheaper imports are banned. Customers buy at inflated prices. Exports of surplus is not possible.

[@user-urdaddy]

They are not farmers, they are landlords. Everyone knows how rice is harming the soil in Punjab and the depletion of ground water but if your target is to make as much as possible within a short term and escape to Canada/UK , you won't be really interested in sustainable solutions that take time to reap awards.

[@qwertyca]

Let's hope Dr. Gulati's ideas become reality one day!

[@br2883]

Compare the farmers of 1947-50 and the present day farmers , and the farming scenario and then talk of government largassees for farmers. 50 percent of budgetary capital expenditure each year has been spent on reforms in farm sector. In 1949-50, the conditions of farmers and farm sector was such that they truly deserved constitution provision for exemption of agricultural income from ambit of Income tax. In those days farming was totally dependant on mercy of rain God. No assured water for irrigation, no fertiliser to improve productivity, no mechanized system of farming. All farmers were in below poverty threshold. Bulls were ploughing the fields with bare foot farmers sweating and walking behind the bulls holding the other end of plough. What is the scenario now? Value of each acre of land they own is not less than ₹20 lakhs to ₹ one crore. The life style and comforts at home and at the farm are much better than a small time civil contractor, a small time businessman and many private employees, and each of them are on the radar of income tax department and GST. Farm income needs to be brought under the ambit of Income tax.

[@gopaakrishnanmvenkataraman9129]

But politics overtook better'sense of farmers thro misguided ANTI Modi elements

[@saureld2229]

Every govt would love to do this, but the people will always choose the Candy seller who says Free Candy for all, over the Doctor who prescribes medicine for better health.

[@swethamani1]

Thank you print for your timely information

[@samarthgolwalker6544]

Fantastic conversation

[@bhikariman-sigmamale]

Big question is who is going to speak to those unreasonable farmers.

[@Little-bird-told-me]

Dr Gulati should go and talk to Modi about it and volunteer himself to lead the initiative. Ambedkar did the same when he ensure he was part of the drafting committee of the constitution.

[@NewYork0110J]

MSP is not the good idea esp for everything. It will defeat the purpose of solving any problem. Farmers should ask for better technologies, assistance to increase productivity and hence exports and minimize waste.

[@sanketsudke2617]

Someone please show to that pappu yogendra yadav

[@anilkumarmk5982]

More than what we public understood about the complexity and need for continuous gearing instead of a fixed policy, hope the opposition and their Chamchas understood this very well and keep our political scene smooth.

[@shubhamchaudhary4654]

Love and good luck to Dr Ashok Gulati, and thank you for doing the good work of a scientist.

[@shashanktiwari8204]

enriching discussion! Loaded with solutions and way forward.

[@Jun_kid]

Dr. Gulati, of course is a sharp Economist, but a novice politician (which is social science). One lakh crore on paper is easy, but he absolutely ignores the Socio-political situation/consequences. When the three farm laws, which are actually beneficial for the farmers, had to be withdrawn, do you think the cuts in subsidies and MNREGA etc would be acceptable to these (so-called) farmers? Which world are you living in Dr. Gulati??

[@mountolympus1098]

He is economist so obviously he has to give best advice. The ideal scenario. He is doing his job. It is now job of our citizens and farmers to understand this fact. And political parties to convince voters this will be better for all

[@qwertyca]

Dr. Gulati is *not* a politician. He doesn't even claim to be.

[@Jun_kid]

@@qwertyca Every one is a politician, including you and me. We just don't possess the skill to be a professional.

[@nealgrover6112]

Soros should give each Indian farmer one million dollars. That will create a lot of goodwill for the Congress in India. Rahul Gandhi should hold negotiations with Soros.

[@sandeepsharma1551]

Very enlightening discussion.

[@cb9461]

Bold new thinking...

[@user-ub6xn6vw8q]

one of the best interviews on this topic

[@AnkitSingh-ku6je]

I have the Public distribution shop at my home ..more than 50% people can affort to pay for their ration and i also know that in most of the government ration shops around my area ,the case is same.....i can say that around 40-50% people ,if i am being very conservative ,can pay for the ration that they get from pds and Gulati sir is right there...the government should do a survey then start charging atleast 50% of msp from these customers....free food shouldn't be given to people who can pay for it

[@abhijitkamthe-eu6ow]

Good perspective

[@jaydeepgadhavi5465]

Excellent interview. Dr. Gulati insightful as always. Just at 18:27, about dovetailing MGNREGA in agriculture sector. Can it happen on agricultural land which is mostly private ? I thought one reason why people opt for MGNREGA was them not getting enough wages in agriculture. By connecting both of them again won't we drag the feet further?

[@user-uh1kp3kc3l]

yes the purpose of NREGA was creation of rural assets- like ponds, well, schools, etc

[@AdityaYadav-xc3qs]

Dr Gulati MUST be made the agriculture minister. Only experts like him can bring the reforms necessary.

[@AdvPriyaLLB]

Tax 2% farmer holding 25% country land Will give gov lakhs crore Instead 0 TAX

[@user-lr8vl1qs9e]

As per Mr Gulati, only 28% of crops are under MSP, why is India not doing wonders in rest 72% of crops?

[@panjabisher6696]

Govt should support MSP for certain crops in each state, like Punjab, Haryan should not have MSP on Paddy, may be on Wheat but on Pulses and vegetables. MP should have on Wheat, Bihar on Paddy, Gujrat and Maharashtra on Cotton. But this protest is not about MSP it is in the hands of goons.

[@narayanan5804]

First there should be a economic & caste / religion census among farmers and rich should pay Income Tax and they should be brought under General Category and denied reservations

[@svanimation8969]

Caste have income have what relation? 🤔 land size and how they use it more important and the education and income of that household more important to study ! Recently in my state Maharashtra indept surveys going on !😮 I mean they taking all information about income caste and all through a app ! Our areas primary school teachers got this assignment by govt. Of Maharashtra something Crazy going on here already contract poultry farming is success😊 ! We will beat the shit out of other state in other advanced farm sector too ! We chosen a visionary leader who still remember his people's despite even become so big I'm talking about current cm of Maharashtra his village people's had to move from there homeland for a govt. Dam protect ! All his areas village people's got no compensation whome don't agreed with govt. Those who agreed they get some at least ! I'm talking about koyna dam of Maharashtra these people's come to our area many of them move to Mumbai some settled in my area ! After getting elected he still remember his people's he gone to Mumbai drive rickshaw also become union leader of auto rickshaw union helped lots people's ! Gain people's support even shivsena politicians kick ass of dynasty prince so called uddav thakre ! And joined him ! He have vision at least than the nepo boy have no idea of ground reality !

[@sourabhmayekar3354]

Nice

[@dr.linauthup2778]

I as non farmer, non economist am able to understand what is being said, how is it that the policy makers do not and thus the single biggest labour providing industry is languishing ?

[@shashanksingh4510]

Wasn't this the whole point of farm bills which were repealed

[@mvkudva]

Looks like the national agricultural subsidy policy could be better. Hope Dr. Gulati is invited to be a member of an agriculture reform and rationalization committee.

[@pagan-540]

How can MNREGA be extended to agriculture(cultivation)? What is the modality?

[@PatilsSchool-]

IN One Word, Farmers Are IN Bank Trap, and IN Collapse of the Farming practices Un Stable productions In Stable price Loss of farming practices IN General Gradually it Will Collapse If No proper Decision is made

[@ravdeepkaur5518]

Recent PAU study indicates that spray of Nano urea is costing more (on labour) without incremental benefits in enhancing crop yields or quality of the output

[@arjavgarg5801]

Please post shorter clips of these videos

[@PeacefulSecularGuy]

It’s a political protest with different agenda!!! They are not farmers.. !

[@Noname-oq9mk]

I am BJP supporter and I agree with this man.... I hope government watch this.... pretty good constructive criticism....in BJP we need this kind of man.... But don't you think if modiji say we remove urea subsidy, opposition tandav karne lagenge.....

[@AmitSingh-yg1zj]

I mean give everything to everyone who cares we deserve this.emotions emotions and emotions We are dumb people that's it Humne kabhi apna dimaag use nahi Kiya naa karege

[@NIKHIL-me3ck]

Consumer is subsidising input cost of farmer

[@PraveenPuranikS]

Very informative. But yiu also need to explain why government us not doing things as suggested here ? What are there problems? What's stopping them? Also as saud here MSP is not good for farmers, then why are they not educated about it?

[@ravdeepkaur5518]

1. allocation under MGNREGA scheme and food subsidy has increased coz poor in India is getting poorer and loosing purchasing power, please refer to recent reports by various agencies. Sad part of the reality is that the poor is not able to buy enough food. 2. contract farming is nothing new. Punjab has been into contract farming for a long time. What farmers opposed in new farm law was the inability of farmers to seek legal support under contract farming law. please narrate the full and true story

[@sumandutta4834]

Don't forget that a panel established by the Supreme Court discovered that 86% of farmer groups backed three farm regulations that the Modi administration eventually overturned to put an end to the first farmer protest. It is only a minority section who are constantly creating problems.

[@vinaykhanna3472]

Govt. should develop comphrensive program to educate farmers at grass root level and enggage with them contineously theough dialog. Govt. should work on reducing input cost.

[@shreychheda1414]

His idea of bringing in the cooperatives has indeed been taken by thr govt. Just heard Piyush Goyal's speech regarding the same.

[@Vij367]

If Modi is in opposition he will first promise he will implement MSP and Swaminathan commission recommendations and after coming to power will remain silent.

[@rohangarg4180]

Dr. Gulati should be the next Agriculture minister, taken in via Rajya sabha

[@user-qv1iq6cm9h]

How can be a farmer not understanding basic economics explained by a Distinguished Prof. of economics? Prof. Ashok Gulati in past few days is all over the news channels, explaining why MSP is anti-farmer and teaching demand and supply theory, saying its 9th standard basic understanding. Now as an economic student I just have few questions? First those who read it please read it as a researcher and give a thought to ideas and facts before responding. 1. He said prices needs to be decided with market with demand and supply forces. Very true for all the economics students. But how can we forget that in same theory there are assumptions which needs to be fulfilled. For example (a) fair competition (b) perfect information and many more. In agriculture producer is not the seller and information are not perfect, which means he is not having bargaining power, so more than demand and supply forces, its controlled information and lack of infra which plays the role here. No warehouses, significant number of farmers are coming under below primary level of education, and maximum farmers are marginal or small. So how can they bargain or compete or store their produce which is perishable to play with the market forces? 2. He quoted, that less than 10 percent only going to have advantage of MSP as per NSSO 77TH ROUND 33 SCHEDULE data. But again, he hides important fact, that data is with the definition that agriculture household means who have an agriculture produce more than 4000 Rupees only in a year. Means 333 rupees in a month. It's very subjective. I just want to ask him, that what if I calculate it with 12000 a year or more? Then its 30 or 45 percent? 3. He said fisheries and poultry and other sectors have a growth as well, without MSP and all. Again, we know this that it helps to farmer to diversify the income, but it does not mean we don't need those 23 items. Net Sown Area is fixed, and population is increasing, productivity is not increasing, irrigation, or other agriculture inputs have shortage, so how can we have sufficient supply of these items. So, we import when there is shortage or eat non-veg? Point is argument needs to be in a context. Out of the context good or bad it's just manipulation. 4. He said, if MSP is legal, it deters the market forces. And suggested crop-insurance and earlier he also suggested contract farming. Here I just want to share that, it's not practical on the field. First, our majority of farmers not even having basic education. Second, if this was the reason for government, then they might have tried it on pilot basis in few states, but they just denied. Third, our institutions who are supposed to do it, have failed in last three decades. And that's the result indebtedness and loss of natural resources like water. 5. What about distribution effect? In the end I just want to say, that as economic student I agree that we need government intervention at second place, but what if government is against the market forces?

[@desiguy5508]

Why Punjab always needs special treatment?

[@user-lr8vl1qs9e]

Why was a ban imposed on wheat export during Ukraine Russia war, when the demand surged?

[@user-lr8vl1qs9e]

What is the state of agriculture in non MSP states?

[@jAyAntswAmi]

Govt tried to help Farmers by giving them open access to market. Just because of Mandi Dalals of Puunjab, govt had to take back the Farm Laws.

[@2010sunshine]

Fragmentation of land holdings should be tackled.

[@dipakbose2677]

MSP is essential for some of the commodities;otherwise farmers will be exploited. Market system is not the only system; planning is the alternative. Adani is connected to Cargil the biggest farm based multinational company. They want to turn the farmers into agricultural labourers. Contract farming is exploitative like Indigo farming was. Private sector should not enter agriculture, cooperative farming is the answer. The government should take total responsibility of the farm sector removing the market system. If the government is the only buyer the problem will be solved for all farmers. If the government produces fertilisers money can be saved.

[@Dudsky]

This can't be done as a knee jerk reflex this has to be done gradually what about these urea factories and all Unemployed in one day ! And for it to be done gradually farmers will never allow that much time

[@RajinderSingh-gq4dk]

But Sir, with all due respect, no need to raise production. Punjab fell into that trap before and they paid the price for that. Its the time to move towards quality over quantity and more over diversity. Market and policies but encourage variety of crops and focus on organic rather than idiotically increase produce using hybrid seeds and stuff

[@mayankgandhi4320]

Why example of Onion is used when it’s not a MSP crop? Why graphic of fruits vegetables used when it’s nothing to do with MSP crops

[@irsharma]

But the money Rs 6000 per annum goes to,landowner not to one who really produces actually

[@anikettripathi7991]

All corruptions money goes to personal pockets and doesn't goes to harmonious economy. Drugs, alcohol, cigars, Human trafficking, prostitution gambaling and all antisocial activities are disharmonious economy and can't be translated similar to harmonize economy. That's why we have to differentiate and discard disharmonious...

[@anishmohan7813]

contract farming is happening in india now. In my state (kerala ) people have been doing poultry contract farming for atleast a decade now. I personally know a company from Coimbatore was playing 15000 rupee for maintaing 1000 chickens for 28 days.

[@qwertyca]

Yeah, and the whole point of the farm laws was to extend contract farming to all agricultural commodities in all states. Instead, we have a few wealthy Punjabi landlords who want the government to hand over all it's revenue to them.

[@hj2711]

Its been happening in gujart for more then 15 years now.

[@svanimation8969]

In Maharashtra also on half few acres of land my area people's with the help of govt. Subsidies build poultry's and now earning in lakhs 🎉 also giving salary's to workers from our tribal areas who don't wanna WORk in uneven rice farms few days employment getting salary a month 12-20 k Also get a home and food security to the worker by farm owners and the private companies giving from food to chicks all ! Going good business here !

[@svanimation8969]

​@@hj2711in Maharashtra its been like 10 years ! 😊its inspired now so many people's who have not doing any active farming 🎉 using unsed land for it its good way to monetized lands like.these ! My village itself have 10-15 poultry's ! Our village population only 3000 people's ! Economically doing So well now ! Since poultry business started on large scale here also here Some industrial zone also So it fuled more areas growth ! People's here work in companies also and hired uneducated people's to do basic poultry farm work on good salary !

[@user-lr8vl1qs9e]

He is close to Modi government and has been part of many committees. Has he put his theory to practice in any one state or district as a pilot to transform the economy of that geography, say Bihar, Orrisa, where MSP does not exist. 1. Please explain why farmers of Himachal are in distress with apple sale. Why did vanilla farming in Kerala fail and farmers died. Why is govt forced to import foodgrain? He is pro-corporatisation of farming. That is a huge market and huge resource for the corporates, un tapped so far.

[@maplemumbai]

LOL! Contract farming was one of the key component of the now withdrawn farm bills!

[@KailashSingh-fm3vu]

But are the farmers interested to sit with govt to thrash out a win win farm policy. Idea is good farmers must have well meaning leaders to represent them.

[@poweroftorque]

Pardon sir … but look at what contract farming has done to pvt broiler farmers

[@KailashSingh-fm3vu]

Last time u n SS Johal were committe members farmers declined to participate. Infact Johal saab withdrew himself under threats from Punjab farmers. Modi need not sit with farmers. Rajnath Singh n Piyush Gorl n Agriculture minister can represent the centre. But farmers must show respect to such leaders. Once agreement is reached PM can shake hands with the top farm leadership!

[@anuragbanerjee2879]

He is assuming Farmers want to be efficient and produce more ? ... why will they , if they are guaranteed a lifestyle

[@rajx7120]

Urea subsidy should be replaced with cash. Then farmers will use that money for the right thing.

[@shreyanshbage1892]

Urea eficecy is 35/40℅.Nano urea 100℅ eficent both have merits demerits. DAP eficency is20℅ sustainable agri is low inputs high production =good agricultarial practices

[@manmohanbajaj6814]

Withdrawn farm laws were moving farmers in that direction, but at that time for all।including print those laws were Balck laws and pushed country and farmers backwards. Now a person from your ideilology is saying then only you are listeing and promoting. But still you will call present so called farmer protest as real one and support it even though fully knowing it is politically motivated.

[@vishnushri5890]

SBI manager service manager getting lakh lakh salary To sell electoral bond To write off lakh crore loan of corporate And to torture customer loan and duping them giving less return SBI customer care / email service falling High time 50 cr customer must report any query to media political parties Public must raise voice against fraudulent activities

[@svanimation8969]

Bro SBI staff is not India's 50% population not even 0.1% population is work In SBI !

[@vishnushri5890]

@@svanimation8969 that I know Giving 0.1% 17% pay hike after lakh lakh salary is unacceptable in a country where 81 cr needs free ration

[@nivedbinu]

Foolish question and foolish answers... Market mechanisms cannot be worked out in farm sectors it is proved all over the world. Look at the various governments in the world giving benefits to farmers and study the statistics.

[@b.scboys1191]

Then why had you propogated that INDIAN AGGRI LAWS were harmful 2 yrs ago..

[@mohansinghghotra4444]

Only solution to north Indian farmers is to declare farming as business and work to open Pakistan borders

[@RichiAnand95]

BJP Want And Farmers Must Change Way of Farming!

[@jaatkthaat7]

I think what Modi government need to do is to pass the farming laws in BJP governed States, and if it works out well, then rest of India will happily accept these laws

[@svanimation8969]

In my state Maharashtra contract farming Like chicken poultry already success many people's least use land now monetized and get lakhs of rupees income monthly +++ other jobs and all extra income ! (They also hire good workers who work at poultry farm here at 15-20 k salary ) 🙂 it works fine here

[@sumandutta4834]

It won't be acceptable, in my opinion, to the so-called farmers in Northern India. Don't forget that a panel established by the Supreme Court discovered that 86% of farmer groups backed three farm regulations that the Modi administration eventually overturned to put an end to the first farmer protest.

[@PeacefulSecularGuy]

We all understand simple economics!! But who will make those Khalistani understand, do they want to !! Or has different agenda!!

[@mountolympus1098]

Some people want money sitting at home.

[@qwertyca]

That's my concern with this interview lol. Both people are assuming that the farmer's protests are happening in good faith because they just want to increase their income. However, it's pretty obvious that the farmers don't care about anything other than causing damage to Modi one way or another, even if it means causing damage to themselves, their state and the country at large. Even if Modi says yes to all their demands tomorrow, they'll be back on the streets with new and even more unreasonable demands soon enough. They don't care about farming, they just care about damaging Modi. No amount of improvement in farming laws and policies is going to satisfy them - it's just an excuse to attract sympathy from international media that doesn't know how to read the situation.

[@bhaktivlogs795]

After election.

[@Typhonnyx]

first he says that poor farmers would not be able to get msp prices in some run down place in bihar but on the same note he says farmers will be able to sell abroad at higher prices like bruh stop being hypocritical such a dumb opinion and this guy want farmers to sell in different states like bruh who will pay transport fees huh like first farmers have to pay for land than seeds than fertilizers I mean where the fuc farmers will get this investment money from I don't think you gonna pay it right,,,,, idk how many times I have to say that msp is a safe guard. and about 3 farm laws were good in a ideal world but reality doesnt work like that and our judicial system where a case like electrol bond which was criminal in its core but still took 6 years to clear that and what do you think will happen if some small farmers went against corporate who uses cronny techniques in every way I dont think so it will help anyone and it can only work in good faith but in India that doesn't exist.

[@RichiAnand95]

BJP Raise From Ground , They Know Farmers Problem And They Give Best Options For Farmers!

[@drmirza3313]

I was surprised to lister his absurd ideas, this is what happen when u discuss with a table economist who does not have any idea of reality. Every point he put forwards is based on wrong facts, whether it’s urea subsidy, contract farming, msp. I expect to channel will bring some learned person from agriculture sector who know the problems of agriculture well compared to AC cabin sitting economist who does not have idea what Indian agriculture is.

[@rupindergrewal556]

Dr Gulati, is just justifying the government's stand. he is just giving masala to news channels for debate. The reality is totally different, you have to work on grassroot level not in your ac office on excel getting data showing progress.

[@dinesh4367]

Contract farming is disaster

[@27harishvk]

He is talking sitting in AC room. He is not looking at poor farmers and poor buyers.. life is not always "plus" and "minus"... those in stress need support from government, which is collecting tax to help those poorest of poor. He is not bothered about poor farmers who don't have apatite of taking risk and poor consumers who just can't afford market price. Guys like this should be shifted to US. What i mean is take example of milk price in Karnataka versus other states. In Karnataka prices are almost half.. because of government support. Government is making is loss but consumers are benefitted double the price government is loosing. Government at loss for 6Rs/ltr in Karnataka were as in uncontrolled markets such as andra prasdesh milk price is 60Rs/Ltr. Now were the money of 60-44=15/Lts going to?. It's going to private milk vendors. Were as actually they should be taking 6Rs/Ltr as profit. In india atleast another 25-years we need government support.. I know it hurts economy.. but lets not hurt poor indians to improve economic numbers. Specifically on basic required necessary items.

[@tushar4evr776]

How will it help Indians if it hurts economy?

[@qwertyca]

Dr. Gulati has spent his whole life working for improving India's farm sector. He's India's foremost expert on agricultural policy. What nonsense are you talking about "AC room" and "not bothered about poor farmers"? Besides, it's this whole "poorest of the poor" nonsense that has been fed to us from the Indira Gandhi era that has led to such fundamentally idiotic policies in India in so many sectors. Moving to a market-oriented system is far better in terms of outcome for both farmers and consumers, even the so-called "poorest of the poor". Finally, who do you think pays for the government to subsidize everything under the sun? It's the same taxpayers who are also consumers.

[@sumandutta4834]

There is no money owned by the government. The subsidies are funded by taxes paid by the general public. There is no free money. Someone is carrying the burden. It is not the government. Politicians don't fund free electricity or free anything. If economy hurts, everyone hurts including the poor Indians.

[@TarunKanthK]

14:00 sir are you saying there's no contract farming present today ? It's already present. Companies like Pepsi-co using Contract farming to buy potatoes for Lays chips from farmers in India for years now. 🙄🧐 What is the use of farm laws in this aspect then !

[@ayowhat9570]

On the large scale even some company like Pepsi or some type of beverage company use the contractual farming is very little exists it some state like UP, maharastra and Haryana & Punjab. It is not in large scale like America or Even China

[@noneoftheabove666]

It's not present in all the states

[@dukhi_aatma372]

The contract farming that is happening today does not have a legal policy framework support. The contract is purely private between Company and Farmer, and it can be done in whatever way the two parties want. In case of dispute, the company can easily use its financial muscle to bully farmers, and the farmers won't even know what their basic rights are. Farm laws would have given this whole business a legal framework.

[@TarunKanthK]

Okay Got a glimpse of it. Understood. Thanks for the information guys. 👍 Modi should have really consulted with farmers, party farmers wing, all party meeting Then should have brought those laws. Because of some repelling aspects in those law. Whole law have to be repelled. 🤷🏼‍♂️🙏 The laws are for farmers, you are bringing them for farmers. How hard is it to consult them before bringing them. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤦‍♂️ For good or bad now those farmers unions, and oppositions are going to get the best out of that wrong move. 🧐

[@tushar4evr776]

@@TarunKanthK All the parties had these reforms in their manifestos. One would then expect everyone to agree with the reforms.

[@ajithwarrier5617]

Very good interview, Sharad. But, as Dr. Gulati points out, solutions are a combination of corrective actions. But, given the way Modi govt has worked so far, we know they will not jeopardize the freebies to Hindi Belt, bcos that will have direct impact to elections. So, just like last time, this time too, whatever assurances are given to protesters, the implementation will be very dull and difficult, even though that may be the need of the hour. So, farmers are agitating to get whatever they can get. Worldwide, whenever reforms happen, the initial cost has to be borne by that govt. Like, Manmohan Singh - even though his reforms were very good, it has taken about 1-2 decades to see real result. Similar was the fate with green revolution too, it took a few generations. This govt doesn't have the guts to bite the bullet. See the China blunder or Phulwama or 370 - so far, all of them are screwed up. Let's not talk about their inability to overcome unemployment or rural/msme distress.

[@svanimation8969]

Manmohan was the one who created that situation in first place look at what work he was doing before 1991 reforms u will get I'm talking !