We need our food systems in top order in the corona-hit economyš¹. And this brings the focus on our farming community and the processes of production and post-production.
āCommunication can no longer be treated like the fifth wheel on a car --- nice to have, but something of a luxury. Communicaą·“tion needs to be converted into the steering wheel to help gušide the enormous changes necessary by those responsible for national policies, by institutions, societies, communities, and groups". - Fraser & Restrepo-EstradaĀ
Amidst the ongoing farmers' protešst and rounds of talks with the policymakers there seems to be a deadlock that needs to be defused immediately. This happens only with the trust restored in the government moves among the farming community. The ļæ½ļæ½fears and scepticism need to be allayed with proper communication and policy moves. How the moves will not go against the interests of the community needs to be established.
Not only nationally but worldwide too, food systems need toš be steppź§ed up considering the ominousĀ Ā coming from the World Food Program executive director Daviš„d Beasley earlier this month. Beasley, expressing hą¶£is concerns over the coming year has called it catastrophic considering the lurking fears of global humanitarian crises.
Back home, the corona -hit economy, loss of jobs and losš»ses in š the wake of externalities like locustsā attack, and cyclones ā Amphan and Nisarga need to be addressed and economy rejuvenated. We need our food systems in top order. And this brings the focus on our farming community and the processes of production and post-production.
Shifting the spotlight on the farm bills seems the policymakers could not communicate their intentions to the farmers. The bills bring in deregulation of the sale of agricultural produce, excluding the role of middlemen in the process. It gives more latitude to the farmers when it comes to deciding who to sell their crops to. But tšhen there is the fear of competition, unpredictability and losing out on minimum support price. The last one government has pledged would stay.
India with about 157.35 million hectares of arable land, is secoš°nd only to the United States in terms of total arable land. Closer home, we are just a slightly bigger than oneāthird of China in size. Still, we have more agricultural land than the neighbour.Ā This definitely justifies the spotlight on theš agro sector and the reforms therein, considering the fact that the Indian agro sector is no small space.Ā
Our food production in the world is one of the second largest. Talking of wheat, rice, vegetables and fruits, we are the second-largest producer of the same, China being the number Uno.Ā But the difference between the two Asian giants is huge. China produces almost three times more fruits and vegetablāes than India.
After all 58 per cent of the population yielding an uneasy and thought tš riggering 14 per cent is no less a worry. As we go ahead on the path to help our agrarian ecosystem, we would realize we are helping the country as a whole --- the environment, the civic infrastructure, the societį¦y and the economy.Ā It is not going to be an easy task; will take time to show results but is not by any chance a thing unachievable.
Ā The reforms that were to enthuse a stronger entrepreneurial element in the agro sector faileād to get the traction that the policymakers had at heart andš boomeranged.
Why? For lack of effective communicationĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ź©µĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā šĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
The bills have the potential of making rural ecosystems the mainstays of the Indian economy, spurring indigenous production which could havāe later added to exports. But it created a lot of heartburn because of the missing link --- effective comšmunication.
The policymakers fš²ailed to establish the needed connect, integrity and understanding of the respective communities. Intangibles that can decide the fate of efforts of Integrity, compassion, a moral compass, empathy and the integration of case --- specifics could not be established despite being at the heart of the bills. Also, the groundwork was not donāe.
Such landmark litigation to be effective needšs a lot of leg work and diligent haš±ndling.
Communication is not a peripheral function. Communication is a super-specialized skill with functions that include educating the pubš°lic, creating awareness and willingness, thus drawing out cooperation and support for necessary support and resources. Advising the respective authorities on policy matters, syncing development agencies to people on the ground zero and creatią“ng congeniality, drawing out support and mobilising the public through participatory communication are other areas to be looked into.
And sorry to say those communicating the reforms could not establish šÆthe good intentions that went into the crafting of the three bills.
(The author has been a faculty of finance, entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence at B-schools and universities.Ā She now works as an independent researcher and focuses on agro and food ecosystems in India and worldwide. Views are personal, and do not necessarily reflect those of Outlook Magazine.)