THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Dr Ramjilal,
Social Scientist and Former Principal,
Dyal Singh College, Karnal (Haryana – India)
Email: [email protected]
Summary:
The farmers’ movements in India have undergone significant changes since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Initially focused on issues such as irrigation, electricity, and crop prices, these regional movements began to evolve after 2000 due to economic liberalisation, rising costs, and corporate influence. Farmers began demanding not only higher prices but also greater control over agricultural markets and public policy. This shift was most evident during the 2020-21 farmers’ movement, where several organisations united under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), leading to the repeal of three controversial agricultural laws.
Detail: Key Changes:
1. From Local to National Movements:
Initially, movements focused on geographically local issues. Over time, farmers recognised that national coordination was needed to address many challenges, such as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and agricultural trade. The formation of the All-India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) in 2017 was a major step towards national unity.
2. From Crop Price Demands to Legal MSP:
The demand for higher crop prices evolved into a demand for a legally guaranteed minimum support price (C2+50%). This became a key issue during the 2020-21 agitation, highlighting farmers’ concerns about the weakening of the MSP amid changes to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) system.
3. From Government to Corporate Influence:
Instead of confronting the government alone, farmers began to focus on the growing power of corporations in agricultural marketing and the supply chain. The three farm laws raised fears that corporate influence could reduce farmers’ bargaining power, sparking a major struggle against state-market-corporate power.
4. From Individual Organisations to an Umbrella:
The 2020-21 movement demonstrated effective coordination among various organisations under the umbrella of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). This demonstrated that organisations with diverse backgrounds can unite around common demands, transcending previous movements based on specific political ideologies or regions.
5. Increasing Participation of Women:
The role of women in farmers’ movements has become more prominent. Now, women are actively participating as workers, farmers, and managers, not just alongside male farmers, marking a significant shift from their previously limited participation in agrarian struggles. This shift in farmers’ movements reflects a more organised and inclusive effort to address the daunting challenges facing the agricultural sector in India.
6. The Role of Youth and Social Media: The Digitalisation of Communication
One of the most striking differences between the farmers’ movements of the early 2000s and those of 2020 onwards is the use of digital technology. Earlier movements relied largely on village meetings, pamphlets, newspapers, and traditional union networks. In contrast, current movements combine these methods with digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and X. Social media has helped farmers communicate directly with supporters, disseminate information, challenge government narratives, and attract attention both domestically and internationally. Thus, the 2020-21 movement transformed into both a physical occupation movement and a digital communication movement, with the People’s Archive of Farmers’ Protests documenting the massive gatherings and communication surrounding the struggle.
7. Protests as Sites and Temporary Residences: Centres for Social Organization and Social Movements
Another new characteristic of recent movements is the creation of long-lasting protest sites. During the 2020-21 Delhi-border protests, protest camps transformed into semi-permanent communities, providing food distribution, medical facilities, cultural activities, libraries, volunteer networks, and media operations. As a result, the protest was not just a march or demonstration; it became an ongoing social movement. Organising camps, langars, and various services helped keep people engaged for almost a year.
8. From Agricultural Issues to Broader Social Questions: An Expanded Agenda for Rural Society
The contemporary Kisan movement has broadened its agenda significantly. Farmers’ organisations are increasingly discussing issues such as agricultural debt, Minimum Support Price (MSP), crop insurance, input costs, land rights, access to water and electricity, climate change, crop diversification, rural youth unemployment, farmers’ pensions, corporate control, food security, and environmental sustainability. Thus, the farmers’ movement is no longer limited to the narrow question of crop prices but has become part of a much larger dialogue regarding the future of rural society.
9. The 2024–26 Phase: The Beginning of a New Era
The repeal of the three farm laws did not signal the end of farmers’ demands. Many organisations continue to address concerns regarding MSP, agricultural debt, compensation, pensions, and the implementation of previously made assurances. Ongoing mobilisation demonstrates that while the repeal of the three laws resolved one significant issue, it did not address the structural crisis facing Indian agriculture. By 2026, the government reported substantial increases in agricultural credit and MSP procurement; for example, as of August 2026, there were ₹10.08 lakh crore outstanding under Kisan Credit Card accounts, with notable increases in MSP procurement over the long term. However, farmer organisations argue that issues related to income security and fair prices remain unresolved. In August 2026, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced plans for renewed protests at 100 locations, including Delhi, beginning November 26, indicating that farmers’ mobilization remains a potent force.
10. Future Trends of the Kisan Movement:
The future of the Kisan movement is unlikely to fade away; rather, its character will transform. The central question will increasingly focus on whether farming can provide a secure and dignified livelihood amid market volatility, climate change, technological advancement, and corporate concentration. The next generation of Kisan movements may therefore be less about a single agricultural law and more about “agrarian justice,” which encompasses remunerative prices, secure livelihoods, climate protection, social security, control over land and resources, technological rights, and greater political representation.
The most significant transformation may shift from “Kisan protest” to “Kisan politics”. Farmers are not just demanding concessions from governments; they are becoming organised participants in shaping agricultural, economic, and environmental policy. In this sense, the future Kisan movement could evolve into one of India’s most important democratic movements, linking farmers, agricultural workers, women, rural youth, and consumers around the critical question of who controls India’s food systems and how those who produce food can do so with dignity.
In summary, around the year 2000, farmers’ movements primarily focused on issues such as electricity, water, prices, and agricultural inputs. Kisan organisations, mostly regional, were led by local leaders and communicated through rallies, newspapers, and meetings. Protests typically took the form of marches and demonstrations against state governments and local agencies, with participation largely limited to farmers.
By 2026, the landscape of these movements has changed significantly. New demands have emerged, including Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt relief, market access, corporate influence, and climate issues. The movement is now characterised by national coalitions, such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which includes over 400 organisations. Communication has evolved to incorporate both traditional and modern means, including electronic and social media.
Participation has expanded beyond farmers to include agricultural labourers, women, rural youth, the diaspora, and urban-educated unemployed individuals. The focus has shifted from local issues to national government policies, multinational corporations, and foreign policy. Ongoing protests from 2024 to 2026 highlight unresolved challenges in Indian agriculture, such as low incomes, rising costs, and climate risks.
These factors may lead to more intense kisan movements, with the younger generation playing a key role and showing less fear of repercussions. As a result, the government needs to address farmers’ demands for food security, and the youth should engage in peaceful and democratic methods of protest.
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