india

Farmer protests in India: causes, insights, and what they mean for innovation in agriculture

Farmer protests in India: causes, insights, and what they mean for innovation in agriculture

Agriculture in India has been thrust onto the international stage as the world watched and celebrities tweeted about the tens of thousands of farmers camped out in Delhi to protest against governmental reforms which loosen rules around the sale, pricing, and storage of produce. Farmers say these changes prioritize corporate interests and threaten livelihoods, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi argues they will lead to greater efficiency and ultimately income for smallholder farmers.

In this episode, Sarah is joined by colleague Komal Patel to unpack why farmers are protesting, what’s working (and what’s not) in India’s agricultural system, and what it means for agtech and innovation. It features Mekhala Krishnamurthy, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Ashoka University and Venky Ramachandran, agritech consultant and author of Agribusiness Matters.