The Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) is set to host a major gathering for the farming community of northern and western India. The 6th edition of the Kisan Swaraj Sammelan will be held from January 11 to 13 in Palanpur, Banaskantha district.
Wide Participation from Multiple States
This significant session aims to deliberate on the pressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector. It is expected to see participation from a vast cross-section of farmers representing states and union territories including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Core Agenda and Critical Discussions
According to a statement by Kapil Shah, co-convener of ASHA-Kisan Swaraj, the three-day sammelan will focus discussions on four broad, critical topics. These are seed sovereignty in light of the proposed Seeds Bill, agricultural labour, mitigating farmer-wildlife conflict, and non-chemical weed control methods.
The proposed Seeds Bill, which seeks to modernize seed quality through mandatory registration, QR codes, and strict penalties up to Rs 30 lakh or three years' imprisonment, has raised concerns. Farmers worry about the lack of easy compensation for crop failure, the potential criminalisation of traditional seed-saving practices, and increased market dominance by large corporations.
Expanding the Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture
Beyond the core themes, the meet will also explore several other vital areas for the future of Indian agriculture. The agenda includes examining markets for organic and natural farming produce, along with related certification and quality assurance systems.
Participants will also engage in discussions on whether carbon credits present a viable solution for farmers, the implications of genome editing in agriculture, and the impact of free trade agreements on the farming sector. This comprehensive agenda underscores the sammelan's role as a crucial platform for holistic dialogue on sustainable farming practices and policy.
