Farmer leader and founding member of Shetkari Sanghatana Vijay Jawandhia said that the US tariffs are set to adversely impact small and marginal farmers the most in absence of concrete policy and financial support from centre and state governments. In an interview with Shubhangi Khapre, he warned that without quick remedial measures by the government, the survival of farmers and the agriculture sector is in danger.As things have unfolded, it is evident there is a lot of pressure from the United States on India to open the market for the agricultural produce. Now, if we allow US soyabean, maize, poultry, etc, our domestic market will collapse. Our farmers will be finished.Both centre and state governments have reassured that farmers’ interests will be safeguarded. Does that bring you any ease?These promises don’t make sense unless you see them in action. The decision to extend import duty exemption on cotton ( till December 2025) is a bad decision. The government’s decision was taken to help the garment industry adversely hit by the US tariff. But, what about the ramifications on cotton cultivators? Our government has reduced cotton import duty to zero from 11 pc under the US’s pressure. Now, this is an attempt to allow US based cotton to reach India between Rs 50,000-51,000 per candy ( 355.6 kg). It is surely adversely impacting the domestic market. With cheaper foreign cotton, domestic prices will find no takers pushing farmers in financial distress. Now, the cotton import duty reduction decision is also perceived amongst farmers groups as a covert move by our government to placate the US. In some ways it is bowing to their pressure.What are your key concerns?From my experience as a farmer who knows ground reality, I fear the government always sacrifices the interest of farmers to protect industries. And that is very unfair. They have done this to cotton farmers by reducing import duty. Why should your farmers be sacrificed for industries, consumers? It always happens. And in the new tariff war, we have reasons to believe farmers are heading for a bigger crisis; Unless, good sense prevails and the government guards farmers’ MSP and announce enhanced subsidies immediately.What do you think are the ways to tackle the issue?Story continues below this adIrrespective of how the situation evolves and how much pressure we withstand or not, we have to make bold decisions regarding the agriculture sector. The first decision is making Minimum Support Price mandatory for farm produce. There cannot be any compromise on the aspect. Every year MSP is announced. And every year farmers have to reconcile to prices below MSP on kharif and rabi crops. This is a sad reality. Secondly, the government will have to enhance subsidies to farmers. Without these two main decisions there is no way ahead to address the vulnerability which our agriculture sector and farmers suffer.In Maharashtra farmers get Rs 12,000 annually under PM Kisan Mahasamman Nidhi Yojana and Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana. Apart from that they receive free power up to 7.5 horsepower for agriculture pumps. Are these schemes not doing enough?Such schemes are devised to hide government failures. It makes no difference to the farmers if their produce ends up being sold below MSP. The MSP for cotton is Rs 8,110 per quintal for long staple and Rs 7,710 per quintal for medium staple. The farmers in Vidarbha, which accounts for 30 per cent of cotton cultivation of the country, are fetching below Rs 7000 to 7500 per quintal. Their problems are further compounded with ad-hoc reduction in import duty. Who will buy domestic cotton now? The scenario is no different for tur cultivators or soyabean growers. The MSP for soyabean at Rs 5328 / quintal only on paper. Actual rates farmers get are below Rs 4000 to 4500. The MSP for tur Rs 8000 and is also not working for farmers. They get only Rs 6500 to 7000 per quintal. In absence of MSP, farmers cannot recover their input expenses on crops. They cannot return crop loans. Resulting in additional financial burden as interests multiply.The government often points towards international developments for the agricultural crisis. Is that the case?Story continues below this adThe tariff war has triggered unrest globally including India. That is understandable. But the issue here is what are centre and state government’s doing to provide relief to farmers and the agriculture sector? Mind you, agriculture is a state subject. You cannot get away showing developments globally. When developed countries including the US give massive subsidies to farmers whose land holding is 100 to 1000 hectares, why are we not adopting the same for our farmers? Here the majority of farmers are in the small and marginal category with land holding 2 to five hectares. Even in states like Maharashtra, almost 70 per cent farmers are in the small and marginal category. How will they survive and compete with big farmers who get maximum financial assistance from their government in the US? Unlike many developed nations, we are still agriculture driven. Almost 60 per cent of our population rely on agriculture and related activities.Should we make farmers dependent on self-reliance?The state government can provide Rs 36,000 crore in annual funds for Ladki bahin Yojana. Several crores are spent on free food subsidies. All this is given to those segments for free. My argument is, why are you not loosening your purse for farmers who toil eight to ten hours in the field braving harsh sun, rain and winter? These are the farmers who feed millions and millions through their physical work. Why should any government not extend full financial support to raise their lives and livelihood.