India’s economy was hit by the pandemic-led crisis but agriculture appears to have escaped unscathed, continuing to grow at 3.4%. But all is not well with Indian agriculture, as protests against the new farm bills show. The doubling of farm incomes by 2022 seems an unrealistic target; women farmers continue to be marginalised; and apprehensions are growing about the government’s plan to digitise the farm economy. What will 2021 bring?
India’s economy was hit by the pandemic-led crisis but agriculture appears to have escaped unscathed, continuing to grow at 3.4%. But all is not well with Indian agriculture, as protests against the new farm bills show. The doubling of farm incomes by 2022 seems an unrealistic target; women farmers continue to be marginalised; and apprehensions are growing about the government’s plan to digitise the farm economy. What will 2021 bring?