PM Modi calls passage of farm bills ‘watershed moment’ in history of agriculture; assures MSP system will continue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished farmers on the passage of farm bills in Parliament and called it a watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture. 

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, “A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers.

He further said, “For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them.”

“Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers. Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step,” he said.

“I said it earlier and I say it once again: System of MSP will remain. Government procurement will continue. We are here to serve our farmers. We will do everything possible to support them and ensure a better life for their coming generations,” Modi added.

Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha passed the Farmers’ and Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, amid protest by Opposition MPs.

The bill was passed with a Voice vote in Rajya Sabha. Both bills were also passed by the Lok Sabha with a voice vote a couple of days back.