The Forgotten Pillars of Our Nation
Farmers are often called the backbone of India, yet they remain the most exploited, underpaid, and overlooked section of society.
While every other industry has evolved with modern systems of support and profit, farming - the very foundation of our food security - has been systematically stripped of fairness and dignity.
In the video “How the System Has Exploited the Farmer?”, the speaker breaks down how decades of policies, corporate control, and social neglect have trapped farmers in a cycle of debt, dependence, and despair.
“The farmer who feeds the nation is forced to fight for his own survival.”
1. The Roots of Exploitation - When the System Turned Against Farmers
The problem isn’t new. Since India’s Green Revolution in the 1960s, the focus shifted from sustainable farming to chemical-driven production.
While yields increased temporarily, farmers lost control over their seeds, soil, and freedom.
Key Systemic Shifts That Hurt Farmers:
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Dependency on chemical fertilizers and hybrid seeds increased production costs.
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Government subsidies favored industrial suppliers instead of small farmers.
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Middlemen gained control over pricing, leaving farmers with little profit.
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Institutional loans and high-interest credit systems led to widespread debt.
“The system that was meant to support farmers became the very reason for their suffering.”
2. The Economic Trap - When Farming Became Unprofitable
Farming once symbolized independence and pride. Today, it represents uncertainty.
Despite working tirelessly, many farmers are unable to earn enough to cover basic expenses.
The Economic Imbalance:
|
Factor |
Farmer’s Reality |
|
Input Costs |
Rising every year due to chemicals and seeds |
|
Selling Price |
Controlled by middlemen and traders |
|
Government Support |
Inadequate or delayed subsidies |
|
Market Access |
Limited or manipulated |
|
Debt Burden |
Increasing due to interest-based loans |
For every rupee a farmer spends on fertilizers and seeds, they earn barely half in return.
This imbalance has pushed thousands into debt traps, forcing many to sell their land or leave farming altogether.
“The farmer is the only entrepreneur who cannot decide the price of his product.”
3. The Middlemen Monopoly - Profit Without Labor
A key theme discussed in the video is how middlemen (agents and traders) exploit farmers.
While farmers do the hard work, intermediaries reap the profits by controlling markets and dictating rates.
How Middlemen Exploit the System:
- Manipulate market prices after harvest.
- Delay payments to farmers.
- Hoard produce to create artificial scarcity.
- Buy crops cheap and sell them at huge margins.
This system ensures that the farmer always loses, while everyone else in the chain profits - from transporters to wholesalers to retailers.
“The hands that sow the seed are the last to be paid.”
4. The Policy Paradox - When Governance Fails the Ground
Despite countless government schemes, most farmers never receive real benefits.
Policies often look impressive on paper but collapse in implementation due to corruption, red tape, and poor outreach.
Common Failures in Agricultural Policy:
- Minimum Support Prices (MSP) that don’t match real costs.
- Subsidies that favor large-scale agribusinesses.
- Inefficient crop insurance programs.
- Lack of cold storage and infrastructure support.
Many farmers remain unaware of their entitlements, and those who try to access them are buried in paperwork and bureaucracy.
“The problem is not lack of policy - it’s lack of intention.”
5. Historical Context - How Exploitation Became Normalized
The speaker points out that the exploitation of farmers didn’t happen overnight.
It has deep historical roots, dating back to colonial taxation systems and later industrialization, which devalued agriculture and glorified urban jobs.
From Independence to Industrialization:
- Post-1965, India focused on industrial exports and urbanization.
- Farming was seen as outdated, leading to neglect of rural development.
- Corporate monopolies entered agriculture through seed patents and agrochemicals.
Over decades, this created a mindset where farmers became laborers on their own land, while the system continued to profit from their dependency.
6. The Human Cost - Beyond Economics
Behind every policy failure lies a human tragedy.
Farmer suicides, family breakdowns, and migration from villages to cities have become disturbingly common.
Emotional and Social Impact:
- Continuous financial stress leads to mental health crises.
- Youths are abandoning farming due to lack of respect and returns.
- Traditional wisdom and organic practices are disappearing.
“The farmer’s sweat waters the land, but his tears go unnoticed.”
7. Organic Mandya’s Mission - Reversing the System
At Organic Mandya, we believe the solution lies in rebuilding the system from the soil upward.
We are not just selling organic produce - we are rebuilding farmer dignity through fair trade, transparency, and education.
Our Core Principles:
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Fair Pricing: Farmers receive the right value for their work.
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Sustainable Practices: Promoting cow-based, chemical-free farming.
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Community Markets: Directly connecting farmers with consumers.
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Education & Empowerment: Training farmers to become entrepreneurs, not laborers.
This movement is proof that farmers can reclaim control when given the right tools, networks, and respect.
“When farmers unite, the system can no longer exploit them.”
8. The Way Forward - Building a Fair Agricultural Ecosystem
Change requires more than awareness - it needs collective action.
Steps Toward a Just System:
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Empower Farmers Financially: Ensure direct market access and fair pricing.
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Educate Consumers: Help people understand the value of organic, farmer-grown food.
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Encourage Policy Reform: Push for decentralized, farmer-led decision-making.
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Promote Natural Farming: Reduce dependence on chemicals and corporations.
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Build Rural Cooperatives: Strengthen communities through shared ownership models.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Farmer’s Dignity
The exploitation of farmers is not an accident - it is the result of decades of systemic neglect.
But change begins with awareness, and movements like Organic Mandya are proving that a fair, farmer-first future is possible.
By returning to organic roots, supporting local farmers, and rejecting exploitative systems, we can rebuild a model where the farmer thrives - not just survives.
“When the farmer stands tall, the nation grows strong.”
FAQs
1. How has the system exploited farmers in India?
Through unfair pricing, middlemen control, poor policies, and lack of direct market access, farmers have been systematically underpaid and overworked.
2. What role does Organic Mandya play in supporting farmers?
Organic Mandya ensures fair pricing, provides training in organic farming, and connects farmers directly to conscious consumers.
3. Why are farmers trapped in debt?
Because input costs are high, selling prices are low, and loans often carry heavy interest.
4. Can organic farming help end farmer exploitation?
Yes. Organic farming reduces input dependency, improves soil health, and enables farmers to earn more through direct sales.
