Farmers gesture as they block a national highway during a protest against farm bills passed by India's parliament, in Shambhu in Punjab, India, September 25, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Political News

Struggle Should Be For Right To Price Determination, Direct International Trade and Right over Natural Resources: A Joint Statement

By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

October 01, 2020

Chandigarh: More than thirty activists, opinionists, professionals, farmers have issued a joint statement on Farmers’ struggle putting forward a viewpoint that instead of merely reacting on issues, the conditions which create these issues must be addressed.

A written statement released today under the name of around three dozen individuals reads as follows:

Panjab’s Farmers Should have the right to price-determination and international trade.

Instead of merely reacting on the issues, the conditions which create these issues must be addressed

The ongoing struggle must not be to get some subsidies but for the right to self-determination

Every sector, whether it is trade, technology, services, art etc., has the freedom to determine the price of its produce. The price of the tools, seeds, fertilizers and pesticides etc. used in farming is determined by the companies producing and selling them and not by the farmers who are the buyers of these products. But when it comes to Agriculture then it is the buyer, the Indian State (Delhi Takht), which decides the price of the farmers’ agricultural produce. When all other sectors give the freedom of price determination to the seller the farmers too should have the same freedom to sell his produce.

The Indian region greatly varies in climate, soil, water and capability; Consequently, the cost of production differs too. Hence there cannot be one uniform price for the agricultural produce in the region. Regional forums of farmers, agricultural experts and government representatives should decide the price of each crop for their respective regions.

Similarly, Panjab should have all the rights in marketing and trade of its agricultural produce internationally. Agro-trade with Pakistan, Arab countries and the Middle East might prove more beneficial for Punjab.

Panjab’s natural resources and its river waters have been forcibly controlled and unnaturally distributed by the Indian State (Delhi Takht). Getting control over its natural resources and river waters is the most fundamental and significant matter for Panjab.Punjab should get the rights over its own resources.

The issue of Panjab’s agriculture is not entirely an economic issue but is primarily a political one. A political struggle is needed for the Right to Price determination and the right to International trade, which could ensure a political system where the native communities are free to decide on their own matters, political and economic. So, the ongoing struggle must be fought for the right to self-determination of the people instead of just limiting it to certain facilities & subsidies.