Farmers protests in India - A timeline
One of the first major farmer agitations post-independence occurred in Punjab when the government imposed a 'betterment levy' to recover the cost of irrigation projects. Farmers revolted, arguing that water was a natural right. The widespread protests led to the withdrawal of the levy, setting a precedent for future movements.
New Delhi: India, an agrarian economy with over 50% of its population engaged in agriculture, has witnessed several farmers' protests over the decades. These movements have been driven by various issues, including inadequate Minimum Support Prices (MSP), debt burdens, land acquisition policies, irrigation challenges, and government reforms perceived as detrimental to farmers' interests.
The seeds of farmers’ movements
1959: Anti-betterment levy protest
One of the first major farmer agitations post-independence occurred in Punjab when the government imposed a ‘betterment levy’ to recover the cost of irrigation projects. Farmers revolted, arguing that water was a natural right. The widespread protests led to the withdrawal of the levy, setting a precedent for future movements.
1970s-1980s: The rise of farmer leaders
The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of organised farmer movements, led by leaders like Sharad Joshi (Maharashtra) and Mahendra Singh Tikait (Uttar Pradesh). These protests were primarily focused on securing fair prices for agricultural produce, reducing electricity charges, and securing subsidies.
1980: Shetkari Sanghatana movement
Sharad Joshi led the Shetkari Sanghatana, a farmers' organisation demanding higher MSPs for crops like onions and sugarcane. The movement successfully pressured the government to revise procurement prices, benefiting farmers in western India.
1988: Mahendra Singh Tikait’s Delhi protest
One of the most significant farmers’ agitations in independent India, Mahendra Singh Tikait led over 5 lakh farmers to Delhi’s Boat Club, demanding higher crop prices, lower electricity rates, and debt relief. The government negotiated with the protesters, offering concessions, and the movement became a landmark in farmer activism.
The agrarian crisis deepens
With India’s economic liberalisation in 1991, farmers faced increasing competition from global markets, fluctuating prices, and a rise in input costs. Several protests erupted due to debt burdens and policy changes.
1994-1997: Karnataka farmers’ movement
Farmers in Karnataka, particularly in the Cauvery basin, protested against the government’s water-sharing agreements with Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery water dispute led to violent agitations, reflecting growing distress among farmers dependent on irrigation.
2004-2010: Farmer suicides and debt relief protests
By the early 2000s, India was facing a severe agrarian crisis, with thousands of farmers, particularly in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, committing suicide due to debt burdens. Protesters demanded loan waivers and better credit facilities.
In response, the UPA government introduced the 2008 Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, benefiting nearly four crore farmers. However, the root causes of the agrarian crisis—poor market access and unstable prices—remained unresolved.
2017: Tamil Nadu farmers’ protest in Delhi
Severe drought conditions in Tamil Nadu led farmers to stage dramatic protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi. They held human skulls (allegedly of deceased farmers), shaved their heads, and even staged mock funerals to demand drought relief packages and loan waivers. The protests continued for months, highlighting the deep distress in the agricultural sector.
Farmers vs policy reforms
Farmers’ protest against farm laws
The largest farmers’ protest in independent India’s history took place in response to three farm laws introduced by the central government in 2020:
1. The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 – Allowed farmers to sell outside government-regulated mandis.
2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 – Enabled contract farming with agribusinesses.
3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 – Removed storage limits on food grains, allowing corporate hoarding.
Farmers, primarily from Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, feared that these laws would dismantle the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system and favour large corporations.
- November 2020: Farmers began their march towards Delhi, facing barricades, water cannons, and tear gas at state borders.
- December 2020: November 2021: Farmers camped at Delhi’s borders for over a year, enduring extreme weather conditions.
- January 2021: A tractor rally on Republic Day turned violent at the Red Fort, leading to clashes with the police.
- November 2021: After nearly a year of protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of the farm laws.
The movement was historic for its scale, international attention, and resilience. It forced the government to reconsider policy decisions impacting farmers.
2022-2024: Continued MSP and loan waiver protests
Although the 2020-21 protests succeeded in repealing the farm laws, other issues persisted:
- 2022: Protests erupted in Punjab and Haryana, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. Farmers argued that without MSP, they remained vulnerable to market fluctuations.
- 2023: Farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka staged protests over delayed payments for sugarcane and onion price crashes.
- 2024: Thousands of farmers launched another march toward Delhi, demanding an MSP law, debt waivers, and pension schemes for elderly farmers.
The 2024 protests have seen renewed clashes with security forces, reflecting the ongoing tensions between farmers and policymakers.
The road ahead
Farmers' protests in India have significantly influenced agricultural policies over the years. Some key outcomes include:
- Farm loan waivers: Governments (both state and central) have introduced periodic debt relief schemes.
- MSP revisions: Agitations have forced policymakers to increase MSPs for key crops.
- Increased political focus on agriculture: Parties now prioritise farmers' issues in election campaigns.
Challenges remain
- Structural reforms needed: India’s agricultural sector still suffers from high input costs, inadequate irrigation, and low profitability.
- Dependence on government policies: Farmers’ reliance on MSP and subsidies indicates deeper market inefficiencies.
- Sustainable farming solutions: Climate change and water shortages require long-term strategies beyond short-term relief measures.