We all are farmers

Growing up in our Indian society, we come across a lot of social stigmas and practical difficulties. Our education taught us that Agriculture is the backbone of our country. The same education leads the country where agriculture is considered a non-lucrative industry for our past and present generation. It has come to a point where any other profession is considered better than farming. Thanks to the inadequate importance given to the industry by our governments and pragmatic difficulties that go along with agriculture, the social stigma exists. Farmers migrate to cities or neighbouring towns to search for a better life, leading the agricultural industry to an existential crisis.

Hence, I am putting forth my thoughts and intentions by illustrating a solution to curb farmers problems. Hailing from a family that has been into farming for decades now, I am taking the liberty of addressing the farmers problems firsthand. After growing up in a farming household, visiting farms, interacting with farmers, and imbibing into their community, I have spent quality time habituating myself in an agricultural environment.

On the one hand, I have personally been into a household of landlords/Zamindars where agriculture can't be considered a sole breadwinning profession. Because of drought and drastic climatic changes, I have experienced difficulties managing money for higher education and other expenses. The primary reason being only into farming has pushed every landlord to this crisis.

On the other hand, small-scale farmers face the wrath of climate change, and they cannot afford to think about any other source of income. We are ultimately leaving them with no option to give up farming and migrate to different professions.

Some factors that contribute to this crisis are:

1. Inadequate government measures on educating farmers.

2. Government policies that don't address the root of the problem.

3. Lack of exposure of farmers as to how the markets and prices fluctuate.

For example:

In May – July 2017, the price of tomatoes surged to 100 per kilo, and this was because of a lesser supply and a vast demand problem. Subsequently, farmers saw the demand for tomatoes and started farming tomatoes. Also, there was a break to the draught as significant parts of the country saw considerable rainfall after a long time, including my village. Consequently, farmers made decent profit margins but didn't reap huge profits. Because of a significant supply to a lesser demand, this sort of market fluctuation happens, and the ultimate reason is farmers not predicting the market scenario.

The ugly truth is that when the product reaches the distribution market, the agents who run the market gets to fix the price, thus reaping in all the benefits of farmers hardship.

To achieve a better understanding, consider a scenario where ten farmers bring ten baskets of tomatoes. If the market agent decides to fix 100 per basket, then the farmer would make 1000. However, it sounds like a deal. The agent takes a cut up to 10% as a commission from each farmer. This way, the agent makes more than a farmer as the commission keeps summing up many farmers. In comparison, they are left with 850-870 per 10 boxes after their transport and other expenses. The market agent benefits farmers without toiling a sweat.

These agents pay a meagre amount to the government to run an agency, and from there, the wholesale agents buy them and then sell to vendors, and then the produce meets the consumer.

Imagine a farmer making 70-75% of the money, i.e.( Rs.75 for a kilo of produce that a consumer buys for Rs.100). Looks perfect from a farmer's perspective. one can achieve it by purchasing the products directly from farmers. 

Our vision at FARMSTOP is to buy produce from farmers directly and bring them to your doorstep with just a few clicks on your phone. Farmstop takes pride in achieving this with a network of 2000+ farmers, ensuring a fair trade practice.

Shop with us to build a better farming community through www.farmstop.in. It can change many lives and the way we eat in our country.

• 03/Oct/2020
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