58. Farm Reforms Need Farmers’ Trust (with Ajit Ranade)

Economist Ajit Ranade talks to host Pavan Srinath about the recent national legislations on farming and agricultural markets, and the reason for widespread farmer protests across the country.

Ajit discusses the 3 amendments that were first passed as ordinances by the Government of India and explains the history and impact of Agricultural mandis (APMCs) and the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He explores how Indian agriculture can move from a government-led system to a market-based system, and what needs to be done to address farmer concerns while doing so.

Dr. Ajit Ranade is the Chief Economist of the Aditya Birla Group. He writes regularly on economic and social issues in Livemint, Mumbai Mirror, Deccan Herald and elsewhere.

Ajit Ranade on the farm bills and other farmer issues:

• Needed: Price Assurance, Orissa Post, 29 September 2020
• Modify MSP, Remove Doubts, Deccan Herald, 29 September 2020
• Our new farm policy seen through Sharad Joshi’s lens, Livemint, 21 September 2020.
• Why farmers are upset about reforms, Mumbai Mirror, 19 September 2020.
• Dear Modi Govt, Marketing Reforms are for Later. Farmers need Cash, The Quint, 20 May 2020. (with Siraj Hussain)
• Solutions to the jigsaw puzzle that is Indian agriculture, Livemint, 19 May 2020
• Allow mobility in farm labour, Mumbai Mirror, 18 April 2020.

For further reading on the farm bills:

• Legislative brief on the three ordinances by PRS Legislative Research
• State legislative brief on amendments to APMC Acts in 2020 by several Indian states, by PRS Legislative Research

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