• Power supply is woefully inadequate and erratic

• Spurious seeds are flooding the market and selling at astronomical prices

• Bank credit is untimely, insufficient and troublesome, compelling kisans to turn to private money-lenders

The next grievance is something that demands the attention of Rahul Gandhi, who was recently credited with the UPA government’s decision to extend the coverage of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme to the entire country. Small and medium kisans face severe labour shortage at critical times of farm operations, a problem made worse by NREGA.

“It’s sweet-poison for agriculture since NREGA has distorted the organic relationship between the farmer and farm-labourer,” says Vasant. “Why can’t they modify NREGA’s guidelines so that khet mazdoors can work on small and medium kisans’ farms when required and earn higher wages?”

Those unfamiliar with farming cannot imagine how joyless it has become. For example, the mere task of sending the sugarcane to the factory becomes an extremely distressing experience. Small farmers face enormous uncertainty about when, and whether, the factory will lift their cane. When they finally get the crushing order, the gang leader who brings migrant labourers to cut the cane demands hefty baksheesh, over and above the wages. If it is not paid, the cane remains uncut on the field. The truck-driver demands his own pound of flesh. Sometimes, the farmer ends up paying 50-60 per cent of what he receives from the factory only on cane-cutting and transportation. To make matters worse, the factory, which decides the cane price, never makes the full payment after purchasing it. The farmer receives his dues in agonising installments.

... contd.