Government Versus Farmers’: A Conflict Over the Neo Liberal Agricultural Reforms in India: A Review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing push for deregulation in India’s agricultural sector, with proponents advocating for the removal of barriers to promote trade, efficiency and price discovery. This led to the proposal of three Farm Reforms in September 2020. However, these reforms faced significant opposition from farmers and farmer organizations, sparking debates on the success of neoliberal reforms in sustainable resource development. There is a recognition of the private sector’s potential contribution to sustainable agricultural development, but balancing this with safeguarding farmers’ interests is crucial. The study employed a qualitative systematic assessment methodology, drawing from secondary sources such as government publications, scholarly journals, online articles, newspapers, and organizational websites involved in agricultural marketing development in India. Emphasis was placed on reports and recommendations concerning agricultural marketing reforms and policies in India, particularly in the context of farmers’ protests. The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the conflict between farmers and the government over neoliberal agricultural policies in India. It delves into the reasons behind farmers’ protests against these policies and reforms, while also examining the linkages between neoliberal reforms and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Both farmers’ and government’s perspectives regarding neoliberal agricultural reforms are explored, highlighting the complexities and challenges inherent in reconciling competing interests in the sector.