The regrouping of farmers in Punjab, evident from the massive show of strength at Samrala during the ‘Jitt Rally’ of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, has once again shifted the focus to the demand for the agriculture policy.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said they had received 1.02 lakh suggestions after the draft policy was put in public domain.
“These are being examined and we are seeing what all can be implemented in the policy. It will then be discussed with the Chief Minister and implemented soon,” he said.
The AAP government has failed to roll out the policy, although it was drafted nearly two years ago and presented to farm unions for discussion in September last year. However, no discussion has taken place on the policy thereafter, even as some farm leaders have given their feedback on the draft prepared by the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission.
SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told The Tribune that they would soon start questioning the government on the reason for not implementing the policy. “It seems the AAP government is least concerned about farmers’ welfare and does not want to implement it. In fact, they go after the farmer union leaders by arresting them, whenever we question the government,” he said.
The AAP government had initially announced to roll out the agri-policy by March 2023. In October that year, the Punjab State Farmers and Farm Workers Commission submitted its draft to the CM.
Falling water table, crop diversification key challenges
The agrarian economy in the state is passing through a critical phase as wheat-paddy monoculture is no longer profitable
Farmers’ indebtedness is rising even after the previous Congress government implemented a partial debt-waiver scheme
Farmers’ institutional loans alone have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, while the figure for non-institutional loans (from arhtiyas) is much higher
The sharply falling water table and no crop diversification are the main challenges
Maninder Singh, sarpanch of Balion village, led the efforts to serve tea to nearly 50,000 farmers. Balion holds special significance in the movement against land pooling—it was here that the first wave of resistance began, and it was Maninder who initially arranged legal support for the protesting farmers.
“This rally is a reminder of where we started,” he said, pouring steaming tea into cups under rain-soaked tents. Women played a pivotal role, their presence both symbolic and active. Draped in yellow dupattas, they stirred pots, raised slogans and stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts.
“We walked with our brothers, not behind them,” said Manjeet Kaur from Ghulal. “This is our fight too,” added Baljit Kaur from Jartauli.
Addressing the gathering, BKU (Rajewal) leader Balbir Singh Rajewal warned against corporate encroachment on Punjab farmland. “They want our land and our grain. We must stay vigilant,” he said.
Harinder Singh Lakhowal of the BKU (Lakhowal) said, “Our unflinching resistance has paid off. This is a victory for every farmer who stood against injustice.”
The rally also highlighted other pressing issues: Opposition to smart electricity meters, demands for the release of Rs 19 crore in pending sugarcane payments, and calls for compensation following recent floods. Farmers warned if dues remained unpaid, they would march to Mohali on September 2.
International trade concerns were raised as well, with leaders protesting tariffs imposed by the US and cautioning against any future agreements that compromise farmers’ rights