From PM’s assurances to webinar-training sessions, Centre's outreach to farmers detailed

As farmers' agitation against three contentious agrarian laws enters its 16th day on Friday, impasse between Union Government and peasants continues even after six rounds of discussions between representatives of both sides. While farmers have expressed concerns over abolition of mandis and MSPs with implementation of three new laws arguing that it benefits corporates hugely, Centre has constantly - on several occasions - assured farmers across country that MSP will t be abolished. It is important to te that Centre had also promised to provide a written assurance on stay of MSP in ir recent proposal to farmers' unions which had been rejected on Thursday. 

NDA-led Union Government has contended that Opposition is attempting to instigate farmers with attempts of propagating misconceptions pertaining to three reforms introduced. three farms bills which received President's assent on September 27 have been introduced to benefit agricultural sector and farmers, Centre continues to assert. In a bid to allay farmers' fears regarding contentious laws, Centre has indulged in a massive outreach programme to clear 'misconceptions' of farmers. 

READ | Farmers Issue Nationwide 'Rail Roko' Call, Say 'had Given Centre Ultimatum Till Dec 10'

On more than 25 occasions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has assured farmers of benefits that se reforms are expected to reap. Prime Minister in his Mann ki Baat address, Independence Day speech and during his rallies prior to Bihar elections had smeared Opposition's malicious campaign and repeatedly conveyed provisions of laws for benefit of farmers. He has also asserted strongly that MSP - one of major concerns of farmers - would stay despite implementation of laws. 

Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar has spearheaded six rounds of discussions so far with farmers' representatives along with Union Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS Commerce Som Prakash. first round of discussion was held on vember 13 while last round concluded on December 7. Apart from holding deliberations with farmers, Centre unleashed a massive outreach programme to connect with farmers at grass-root level in a bid to explain reforms introduced. 

READ | Ravi Shankar Prasad Reveals '92 Lakh Consultations Done' On Farm Laws, Lambasts Opposition

1,37,054 webinar & training sessions conducted

In June 2020, 708 trainings and webinars were organised covering 21,231 farmers. In July 2020, a total of 873 training and webinars were conducted reaching out to 26,196 farmers.  36,102 training and webinar sessions covering 27,07,977 farmers were conducted in month of October 2020 whereas vember 2020 witnessed 97,679 such sessions covering 64,36,198 farmers. e total number of training and webinar sessions conducted were 1,37,054 reaching out to 92,42,376 number of farmers as on between June to vember 2020. Farmers were called for training at a commonplace in Gram Panchayat while 2.23 crore SMS messs have been sent to farmers during month of October. 

READ | Narendra Singh Tomar Takes Umbr At 'release Activists' Demand During Farmers' Stir

Prior to even introducing bills in Monsoon Session of Parliament, Ministry of Agriculture consulted with various experts and officials regarding three bills. As per official sources, feedback on three bills was obtained from officials in APMC mandis and through multiple meetings with FPOs through video conferences. Ministry had also consulted with farmers unions and introduced changes suggested by m. 

READ | UP CM Yogi Echoes Centre's Assurance On Mandis, AMPC; Raises 'One Nation One Mandi' Vision

What are agrarian laws? 

Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 aims at freeing farmers from constraints of state Agriculture Produce Market Committees whereby y would be able to sell ir produce anywhere. Meanwhile, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 protects and empowers farmers to eng with processors, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters for farm services. This entails provision of contract farming. On or hand, Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 specifies that supply of foodstuffs including cereals, pulses, potato, edible oilseeds, and oils shall be regulated only under exceptional circumstances.