It is unfortunate that this debate only revolves around the ‘scam’ theory. The reason is not difficult to see because farmers’ interests are best served by competitive market of buyers.

With the amendments in the APMC acts by the state governments, wheat growers are witnessing a major challenge to the monopoly of the Food Corporation of India. Reports from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan show not only the immediate benefit to farmers through higher prices received from private companies; it has also increased land under wheat cultivation. It is indeed ironical that the government, which successfully wooed the state governments to amend their APMC acts, should have to defend itself against the charge of discriminating against farmers.

The writer is a policy analyst associated with Pragati Abhiyan, a developmental NGO based in Nashik.