Rejecting the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), calling it a new version of the three controversial farm laws that were repealed after massive protests, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced to launch countrywide protests to unite farmers against the policy. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by 165 representatives from 73 farmer organizations across 12 states. The meeting resolved to fight the policy with full force if the government does not withdraw it. The farmer leaders announced to hold protests at the residences of all the MPs and to also organize countrywide strikes if the government failed to resolve withdraw NPFAM.
During the meeting the SKM leaders accused the government of introducing the policy through state governments as a backdoor attempt to benefit multinational corporations and private companies. They criticized the policy for targeting government mandis and pushing privatization to ensure cheap raw materials for agro-processing industries via farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), e-NAM, and contract farming.
The SKM highlighted the lack of provisions in NPFAM for MSP, government procurement, and food grain storage for public distribution. They termed the policy a conspiracy against farmers, aligned with WTO and World Bank recommendations. As per the strategy the leaders have decided to organize protests by establishing permanent protest sites at district and state levels, building pressure on state assemblies to pass resolutions rejecting NPFAM and organizing Mahapanchayats and public awareness campaigns nationwide.
As part of their plan, the SKM has called for Mass Deputation in front of MPs offices and residences on February 8 and 9 to request them to stand with farmers. The protesting farmers to highlight the harmful effects of the policy and press for their other demands, including, legal guarantee of MSP based on the C2+50% formula for all crops, Loan waivers for all farmers and agricultural workers and fulfillment of pending demands from December 9, 2021. The SKM warned that if the government does not withdraw the policy, they will call for a “Gramin Bharat Bandh” (Rural India Strike) in collaboration with other movements.