New Delhi: Agriculture and farmers have always been the backbone of our economy and at the centre of politics as well. The jawans at the border and the farmers in the field are considered to eqally serve the country.
After Independence, every government from time to time made big announcements in the interest of farmers, but as told by some farmers, the desired improvement in the farmers' condition could not be fully achieved. In fact, agriculture is the largest employment provider sector in the country, directly and indirectly, but it still remains the largest unorganized sector.
After assuming power at the Center in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made many announcements about agriculture and farmers. But a few of them remained partialy unfulfilled.
The country saw a big and unprecedented farmers' movement against the three Agricultural Laws. As a result, the government had to withdraw all the three.
Indeed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated many schemes for farmers like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, National Livestock Mission, Farmers Health Insurance and (DBT) Direct Benefit Transfer. Some of these schemes did improve the condition of farmers, like Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana wherein the farmers get Samman Nidhi through direct money transfer into their bank accounts doing away the middlemen and babus.
How have so many schemes of the Centre and the state governments changed the agriculture scenario and how have the farmers benefitted from these various schemes? To check the ground reality, the Dynamite News team reached among farmers of Haryana at Tikri border adjacent to Delhi.
Tikri border was once a main centre of farmers' movement in the country. Here Dynamite News team went to Savda village and surrounding areas.
Even in such a cold weather with dense fog, the farmers here were there in the fields. The farmers wearing shawls or turbans, agricultural implements in their hands and lush green vegetables and agricultural produce in the fields was a scene to behold even from far.
It is about 12 noon and sweat was clearly visible on some farmers' faces while working in the mild sunlight amidst the cold winds. A group of farmers were busy working in the lush green fields of carrots, radish, mustard, spinach and mustard.
The team of Dynamite News reached the farm where a group of farmers were working together. The farmers said that even in this winter, they reach the fields at around 7 in the morning. Carrot, radish, spinach, mustard and some crops are ready. Now in this process of reaping the crops, collect it and then safely deliver it in the market, they often have to miss their meals.
There was a mixed reaction of farmers about government various schemes. While talking to Dynamite News, a farmer said that ever since this government came in 2014, farmers are facing mild to heavy losses. Another farmer said that we in Delhi are not farmers at all. Because Sheila Dikshit government had abolished the status of farmers of Delhi.
He said, we are not being given any kind of subsidy. Modi government has been doing good work but if they can get us back the status of farmers then it will be a big achievement for the farmers of Delhi.
Watch the video for full conversation with the farmers.
