Understanding the New Farmers Laws: Fact-Checking and Clarifications

The Misconception and Reality of New Farm Laws

Recent allegations suggest that the new agricultural laws are aimed at stripping farmers of their lands. This misconception is far from the truth. The laws in question, the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Promotion and Facilitation Act 2020, the Farmers Empowerment and Protection Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, and the Essential Commodities Amendment Act 2020, primarily focus on enhancing the trade and commerce of agricultural produce and regulating essential commodities, not on land ownership.

The Essential Commodities Amendment Bill 2020

The Central Government proposed an amendment to the Essential Commodities Act in 2020, which seeks to remove certain commodities, such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onions, and potatoes, from the list of essential commodities. This change aims to end the imposition of stock-holding limits for these commodities, except during extraordinary circumstances. This move is designed to allow for greater market flexibility and competition.

New Agriculture Bills: Detailed Overview

On September 2020, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the three new agricultural laws passed by the Indian Parliament. These laws are critical for reshaping the agricultural sector and provide a detailed framework for farmers and traders. Let’s break down each of these acts:

1. Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce Promotion and Facilitation Act 2020

This act aims to promote and facilitate the trade of farmers’ produce by allowing them to sell their goods to any willing buyer, not just through APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committees) mandis. This will empower farmers to negotiate better prices and expand their markets.

2. Farmers Empowerment and Protection Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020

The second act is about farmer empowerment and protection. It ensures that farmers receive assured prices for their produce and provides them with services they need for their agricultural activities, including navigation, insurance, and financial services. This legislation is intended to protect farmers from market fluctuations and provide them with the necessary support.

3. Essential Commodities Amendment Act 2020

The third act, known as the Essential Commodities Amendment Act 2020, has been modified to remove certain agricultural commodities from the list of essential commodities. By doing so, it aims to reduce government intervention in the market, leading to increased competition and price transparency.

Video for Further Understanding

To gain a deeper understanding of these laws and their implications, it is recommended to watch the following educational video. The video is in Hindi and provides detailed explanations of the three new agricultural acts. Note that it is not a news channel video and each channel might have their own biases. The video offers clarity on the topics and is suitable for educational purposes.

Note: It is especially important for responsible citizens, including farmers and their supporters, to watch this video to clear any doubts and ensure a better understanding of the new agricultural laws.