On the current situation of farmers:
Tikait says that prices of farm inputs (fertilizer, pesticide and seed prices)
have soared; while the farmer does not get the right price for his produce.
On the cause of farmers’ problems:
Tikait says that farmers are the victim of a flawed
agricultural policy; and that the minimum support price (msp) being paid to farmers must be at par with the consumer price index.
On the impact of the Green Revolution:
Tikait says that the Green Revolution has done more harm than good; as the Green Revolution has deprived the farmers of their traditional farming methods. Earlier, farmers used to keep seeds for the next season, and relied on cow dung. But now they are at the mercy of the seed and pesticide companies – which keep on raising the input prices.
On farmers relying on moneylenders for finance:
Tikait says that farmers have trouble getting institutional loans, so they prefer to deal with the local moneylenders – who charge a higher rate of interest.
On the loan waiver scheme:
Tikait says that this is not a permanent solution for farmers’ problems – and the
government should look into the reasons why the farmers need to take these loans in the first place.
On the role of the government:
Tikait complains that the government never talks with the farmers’ union while framing agricultural policies. He says that the government should consider subsidizing farmers for keeping the land fallow – so as to maintain the natural fertility of the soil.
On productivity and profitability:
Tikait says that by using traditional farming methods, the input costs would be drastically reduced - and agriculture would become a profitable profession.
Tikait says that farms in the West are more productive because of the regular supply of water (irrigation) and power.
On the future of agriculture and farming:
Tikait criticizes the government for acquiring agricultural land from the farmers at cheap rates (for industrial purposes).