More reform needed

Solution to farmers' agitation is reform of livelihood support

A major agitation led by farmers from several states, but particularly Punjab, has convulsed north India and reached the borders of Delhi. The protesting farmers, who are now being supported by some opposition parties, are unhappy about the new agricultural marketing laws brought in by the government as part of the long overdue reform of the sector. These were originally introduced through Ordinances in June, and anger has been building since then at the ending of the monopoly of Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees. Since then, out-of-mandi transactions have grown in number sharply. Other reforms have also been introduced to strengthen