India farmers seek pay boost as Modi on track for third term

Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy.

The majority of farmers who keep the sector going own small plots of land and struggle on low incomes, despite their vital role in the country's prosperity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long promised to boost their incomes, but as he sits on the cusp of securing a third consecutive term in power, many of those farmers are beginning to question when that will happen.

In Greater Noida, on the outskirts of the sprawling state of Utter Pradesh, is a large farming community. For many there, it's a family business, passed through the generations. Men, women, and children, all working to cultivate the land and produce crops like rice, wheat, and millet.

This summer they've been working under scorching conditions, with temperatures soaring to almost 50C. They say they've had no other choice. There aren't any other jobs for them to make a living, so they need to ensure a good crop to feed their families.

Through a translator, local farmer Geeta tells 1News her family does everything on their plot of land from sowing the seeds, to harvesting. The children help too, but she says they try to keep them indoors in the peak heat, to stop them from falling sick.

"[But] there's no running away from the hot sun, because we work on the fields," she said. "We can't afford to hire other farm workers, so we do everything ourselves."

Geeta and the other women in her family of farmers say they aren't happy with Modi and how much prices have gone up during his term – but they still voted for him this election.

Manju says she was swayed by what Modi says he will deliver.

"He's very polished, he talks very nicely, and he makes us chase our dreams," she said. "He says things are going to get better, so we got swayed."

Their husbands are less convinced.

None of the men 1News spoke to on the farm voted for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2019 they were among those who protested on the outskirts of Delhi against the government's agricultural reforms.

They haven't joined this year's protests calling for the government to intervene and ensure a minimum price for their crops, but they won't rule out further action.

Jagbir Singh says Modi has failed to deliver on his promise to help farmers boost their incomes. He says it's hard for them to make enough to give their families a comfortable life, with a stable income, and access to good education for their children.

What little income they get, he says, is also at the mercy of nature.

"If there is a good monsoon, we get good crops, otherwise our work goes down the drain."

At a local market in Greater Noida, wholesalers there reflect the same sentiment.

Umesh Kumar is a wholesale seller and a farmer. He says often what they sell at a loss on the market.

"The money we invest in farming, it doesn't come back – we don't get equal return," he said. "We want the government to ensure employment, double the price for farm produce, bring down the price of fertiliser, and cheaper bank loans."

Without additional support the men fear, in the face of tight economic times, and a warming climate, there's no future left in farming for the generations that follow.

Corazon Miller travelled to New Delhi with the assistance of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Additional reporting Rajesh Joshi

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.