Farm law

Farm laws refer to a set of three laws passed by the Indian government in September 2020 that aim to liberalize the country's agricultural market. The three laws are the Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmer's (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. The laws have been the subject of widespread protests by farmers in India, who argue that the laws will hurt their livelihoods and benefit large corporations at their expense.

The main benefits of the farm laws passed by the Indian government in September 2020 are:

They allow farmers to sell their produce outside of government-regulated wholesale markets, also known as "mandis," which supporters of the laws argue will increase competition and lead to better prices for farmers. They allow farmers to enter into written contracts with agribusiness firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, and large retailers, which supporters of the laws argue will give farmers more certainty about prices and reduce the risk of losses.

They remove certain commodities from the list of essential commodities, which supporters of the laws argue will reduce the government's ability to control prices and will encourage private investment in the agricultural sector.

Food security: Farming provides a consistent source of food for both local and global populations. It helps to ensure that people have access to a variety of nutrient-rich foods to sustain themselves and their families.

Economic stability: Farming provides jobs and income for individuals and communities, particularly in rural areas. It also contributes to the overall economy through the production and sale of crops and livestock.

Environmental conservation: Farming can play an important role in preserving natural resources and biodiversity. Sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping and agroforestry, can help to protect soil, water and other resources, while also sequestering carbon.