Farmer's organizations
A farmer's organization is a group of farmers who band together to promote their shared interests, share information and resources, and jointly work to improve their living conditions.
The size of these organizations can range from a small group of farmers in a small town to huge national or international organizations, which can be formal or informal.
The following are some of the main goals of farmer organizations:
- promoting legislation that benefits farmers and rural areas
- granting farmers access to data and tools that can help them enhance their production processes and raise their incomes
- encouraging environmentally conscious and resource-conserving sustainable agricultural methods
- assisting farmers in gaining access to markets and trade opportunities to increase their income
- promoting rural community development through a range of social and economic initiatives
Farmers' organizations' strategies for influencing decision-makers
Farmers' organizations can engage with those responsible for implementing and forming policies in various ways. Let us examine the strategies used by Indian Farmers' Organizations to influence public policy.
Demonstrations & Public Protests
In order to exert pressure on the government and draw attention to their demands, such as Loan Waivers and High MSP, the farmers' organization frequently used strikes, bandhs, and other protests. Either the state or the federal level uses this technique. Any protest, including peaceful demonstrations and elections against unpopular politicians, bandhs, and hartals, is permitted.
The government and the media both benefit from such tactics. As it did in Madhya Pradesh a few years ago, these protests can occasionally degenerate into violent strikes.
In actuality, protest always interferes with the nation's general administration. In order to overcome their own economic and social hardships, farmers carried out this kind of demonstration.
Carrying out the Long March
Farmers' lengthy marches to important cities have lately become a potent means of communicating their concerns. Recently, thousands of peasants representing various agrarian outfits gathered in Mumbai. Alternatively, (a) Farmers recently marched barefoot to Delhi as part of the Bharatiya Kisan Sabha.
Electoral Support for Political Parties
In order to get what they want, the farmer organizations frequently support the political parties during election seasons and occasionally even outside of those, such as loan forgiveness in UP and Karnataka.
The farmers' organization occasionally fields candidates in elections. As a result, these organizations establish a national pressure group for farmers, which may significantly impact how policies are made. For instance, political parties like the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha run for office in Maharashtra.
Organizational Use of the Mass Media
Pressure groups effectively use the media as one of the main channels for spreading awareness of global issues. In order to raise their issues and opinions, the experts and members of these farmer organizations turn to the media. They have made an effort to sway people's opinions in this way.
Farmer organizations' petitions and prayers
These organizations bring attention to various demands through prayers and petitions to the legislative and executive branches. As an illustration, meet with the finance minister during pre-budget talks.
Making a Scene
The farmers' organization will occasionally choose to draw attention to the strike by using street theatre, public awareness campaigns, and other techniques to win support from the public.
Lobbying-
Farmers can effectively influence policymakers for their interests through lobbying. They influence the policymakers by telling their grievances and problems. They compelled the government to give the problems its full attention. The All India Kisan Sangh has recently been on strike in Maharashtra to support dairy farmers' rights. Example: KMF raised the milk price by Rs. 2 per litre after the protest.
Access to the State Apparatus in a close manner
The agrarian pressure groups are in harmony with the bureaucratic apparatus that makes up the State Apparatus. When formulating agricultural policies, the more organized pressure groups remain on the same page as the important bureaucrats and executives.
Effectiveness of these techniques
Favourable effects
- The overall effect on migrant workers and soil tillers has been enormous.
- Farmers' groups have successfully raised the pay rates for agricultural workers and secured a share for underprivileged peasants.
- Organized agrarian lobbies have pushed for various land reforms to strengthen farmers' socioeconomic position.
Unfavourable Effects
- These groups' and organizations' influence has been relatively small compared to other major economies.
- These organizations have less political clout and sway.
- A fragmented mandate, political party support, geography, and other factors, among others, limit an organization's ability to operate on a large scale.
- Organizations no longer have any persuasive power because they have been reduced to a tool for vote-bank politics.
The empowerment of small-scale farmers, who frequently lack access to resources, information, and market opportunities, can be greatly aided by farmer organizations. Farmers can better protect their way of life and have a stronger voice in determining policy by banding together and speaking out for each other's needs.
What are the methods used by the farmer's organizations to influence the policymakers in India, and how effective are these methods? (UPSC - Mains 2019)
