Farm to Table: What is the Reality? | Maya Anandan | TEDxYouth@AES

Summary

Maya Anandan, a 16-year-old from New Delhi, discusses the plight of Indian farmers and their year-long protest against new government policies that threatened their livelihoods. Highlighting the challenges faced by smallholder farmers globally, she emphasizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the need for public awareness and involvement in policy discussions to ensure food security and environmental health.

Takeaways

• 📢 Maya Anandan, a 16-year-old from New Delhi, addresses the audience about the state of farmers in India.
• 🌾 The script highlights the importance of considering the journey of food from farm to table, often overlooked by consumers.
• 🚜 The speaker recounts the 2020 farmer protests in India against new government policies, which were met with police resistance and international attention.
• 🏰 The protests culminated at the historic fort during India's Republic Day, causing widespread concern over potential violence and food shortages.
• 🛑 The resilience of the farmers led to the repeal of the controversial farm laws after a year of demonstrations.
• 📖 The laws in question, passed in September 2020, aimed to increase private investment in agriculture but were criticized for lacking government safeguards.
• 🌱 The speaker emphasizes the generational dependency on farmers for sustenance while acknowledging their struggles with debt, low income, and lack of technology.
• 🔄 The script identifies key challenges faced by farmers, including a lack of awareness about good agricultural practices, exploitation by middlemen, credit access issues, and land conversion.
• 🌍 It points out that smallholder farms, which make up 90% of the world's farms, are crucial for food supply but often face significant hardships.
• 🌡️ The connection between climate change and agriculture is explored, with extreme weather events damaging crops and certain farming practices contributing to environmental harm.
• 🔥 The script specifically calls out the practice of crop burning in North India as a major contributor to air pollution, impacting public health.
• 🤔 The speaker encourages the audience to educate themselves about the issues faced by farmers and to engage in political discussions about agricultural policies.

Q & A

Who is Maya Anandan and what is her age?

Maya Anandan is the speaker in the transcript, and she is 16 years old.

What significant event did farmers from Punjab initiate on November 26th, 2020?

Farmers from Punjab initiated a protest against new government farm policies by coming to Delhi, reaching the capital on foot and in convoys of tractors.

What were the farmers protesting against and why?

The farmers were protesting against laws passed in September 2020 that aimed to increase private investment in agriculture while limiting government safeguards such as price control, which they believed were passed without due process or debate in Parliament.

How did the farmers' protest evolve over time?

The protest evolved from farmers pitching tents along highways to the historic fort, clashing with police, and eventually leading to the repeal of the new farm laws after a year of protest.

What was the international impact of the farmer protests in India?

The farmer protests in India gained international attention, being featured on the cover of Time magazine and mentioned in tweets by pop star Rihanna and environmentalist Greta Thunberg.

What is the situation of smallholder farms globally and their contribution to food supply?

About 90% of the world’s 570 million farms are smallholder farms, consisting of less than five acres of land, and they produce 80% of the world’s food supply.

What are some of the challenges faced by farmers according to the transcript?

Challenges faced by farmers include a lack of awareness of good agricultural practices, exploitation by middlemen, inability to access credit due to lack of assets for collateral, and the conversion of farmland into commercial and industrial lands.

How does climate change affect agriculture and farmers?

Climate change affects agriculture by causing extreme weather events that can wipe out crops. Additionally, certain agricultural practices, such as crop burning, contribute to environmental harm, including pollution.

What is the connection between farming practices in North India and Delhi's pollution crisis?

Farming practices in North India, such as crop burning, contribute to Delhi's pollution crisis by releasing heavy smoke that blankets the region and spreads towards India, affecting air quality.

What was the Air Quality Index in Delhi three days after the Valley last year, and what contributed to it?

The Air Quality Index in Delhi was severe at 436, with 40% of this due to crop burning residue, which caused the air to appear hazy and unbreathable.

What can individuals do to help address the issues faced by farmers according to the transcript?

Individuals can help by educating themselves on the plight of smallholder farmers, getting involved in political discussions around government farm policies, and understanding that these issues impact the entire planet, not just specific regions.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Farmer Protests in India: A Cry for Justice

Maya Anandan, a 16-year-old from New Delhi, discusses the significant role of farmers in our food supply and the challenges they face. She highlights the farmer protests in India against new government policies introduced in September 2020, which were protested due to lack of proper parliamentary debate. These policies aimed to increase private investment in agriculture but reduced government price controls. The protests, which involved thousands of farmers from Punjab and other parts of India, were met with police resistance and international attention, including coverage by Time magazine and support from celebrities like Rihanna and Greta Thunberg. After a year of protests, the government repealed the laws. Maya emphasizes the farmers' struggles with debt, low income, lack of mechanization, and the impact of climate change, noting that over 5,000 Indian farmers took their lives last year due to these issues.

05:01

🌍 Global Impact of Agricultural Challenges

Maya continues by emphasizing the global reliance on smallholder farmers, who face numerous challenges including lack of knowledge on good agricultural practices, exploitation by middlemen, difficulty accessing credit, and land conversion issues. She points out that 90% of the world's 570 million farms are smallholder farms, contributing 80% of the world's food supply. Maya also discusses the environmental impact of farming, particularly in India, where practices like crop burning contribute to severe air pollution. She calls for awareness and action, urging the audience to educate themselves on the issues faced by farmers, engage in political discussions about farm policies, and recognize the broader implications of these issues on the planet.

Keywords

💡Farmers

Farmers are individuals engaged in agricultural practices, primarily involved in cultivating land and raising crops or livestock. In the context of the video, farmers are central to the narrative as they are the ones protesting against new government policies that directly affect their livelihoods. The script highlights their struggles and the importance of their role in food production, emphasizing the need for awareness and support for their cause.

💡Protest

A protest is a public demonstration against perceived injustices or policies. The video discusses the farmer protests in India, which were a response to new agricultural laws introduced without sufficient debate. The protests are a key element in the video's theme, illustrating the farmers' resilience and the lengths they are willing to go to protect their rights and livelihoods.

💡Agricultural Practices

Agricultural practices refer to the methods and techniques used in farming, including planting, cultivation, and harvesting. The video touches on the impact of these practices on the environment and the challenges faced by farmers, such as the lack of mechanization and digitization, which contribute to their economic hardships.

💡Debt

Debt in the context of the video refers to the financial obligations that many farmers face, which can be overwhelming and lead to severe consequences such as suicide. The script uses this term to highlight the dire economic situation of farmers and the need for financial support and policy reform.

💡Climate Change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. The video discusses the impact of climate change on agriculture, such as extreme weather events that can destroy crops, and the role of certain agricultural practices in exacerbating environmental issues.

💡Smallholder Farms

Smallholder farms are small-scale agricultural operations, typically consisting of less than five acres of land. The video emphasizes that a majority of the world's farms are smallholder farms, which face numerous challenges and yet are responsible for a significant portion of global food production.

💡Middlemen

Middlemen are intermediaries who buy goods from producers and sell them to others, often at a higher price. In the script, middlemen are portrayed as taking advantage of farmers by exploiting their position in the supply chain, which contributes to the farmers' financial struggles.

💡Credit

Credit refers to the ability to borrow money or purchase goods and services based on the trust that payment will be made in the future. The video discusses how farmers often struggle to access credit due to a lack of assets for collateral, which limits their ability to invest in their farms and improve their economic situation.

💡Crop Burning

Crop burning is the practice of setting fire to agricultural residues after harvest, which is done to clear fields quickly for the next crop. The video mentions this practice as a significant contributor to air pollution, particularly in North India, and its negative environmental impact.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video refers to the ability of farmers to maintain their livelihoods and the environment in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The script calls for a recognition of the importance of supporting farmers in their quest for sustainable agricultural practices.

💡Awareness

Awareness in this context refers to the recognition and understanding of a situation or issue. The video encourages viewers to increase their awareness of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and the impact of agricultural policies on food security and the environment.

Highlights

Introduction to Maya Anandan, a 16-year-old from New Delhi, discussing the state of farmers in India.

The start of the farmer protests in Delhi on November 26th, 2020, by farmers from Punjab.

Description of the scale of the protests, with farmers arriving on foot and in tractor convoys.

The use of tear gas and water cannons by the police against the protesters.

The farmers' arrival at the historic fort during India's Republic Day celebrations.

Concerns about increased violence, food shortages, and the spread of COVID during the protests.

Media coverage of the protests, including Time magazine and tweets from celebrities.

The government's repeal of the new farm laws after a year of protests.

The reasons behind the farmers' protests: laws passed without due process affecting price controls.

Maya's personal connection and internship at an agriculture financial technology company.

The reality of farmers' dependency on agriculture despite their struggles with debt and low income.

Statistics on the number of Indian farmers who took their lives due to debt and depression.

The prevalence of smallholder farms and their contribution to the world's food supply.

Challenges faced by farmers, including lack of awareness, exploitation by middlemen, and access to credit.

The impact of climate change and extreme weather events on farming and crop yields.

Environmental harm caused by agricultural practices, such as crop burning in North India.

The connection between crop burning and air pollution in Delhi.

A call to action for the audience to educate themselves and engage in political discussions about farm policies.

Conclusion emphasizing the global impact of the issues faced by farmers and the need for collective action.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Daira Queiroz Reviewer: Anna Sobota

Hello, everyone.

My name is Maya Anandan,

I am 16 years old, and I live in New Delhi.

Have you ever thought about how food gets to your table?

For most of us,

the well-stocked shelves of a grocery store might come to mind.

Or we might even imagine ourselves making the perfect meal for our loved ones.

We're less likely to think about farmers and farming practices all over the world.

Today, I would like to talk to you all about the state of farmers,

starting right here, in India.

On November 26th, 2020, words spread in my community

that farmers all the way from fertile Punjab

were coming to Delhi to protest new government farm policies.

Farmers reached the border of the capital on foot

and in convoys of tractors.

In the days and months ahead,

protesters came from all over the country

and pitched tents along the highways leading to the national capital.

Clashing with police, as they were met with tear gas and water cannons.

Eventually, thousands of protesters reached the historic fort

as India was celebrating Republic Day.

Fear of increased violence and food shortages spread in the city,

not to mention the spread of COVID.

The farmer protests made it to the cover of Time magazine,

and even reached the tweets of pop stars Rihanna

and environmentalist Greta Thunberg.

The resilience of these farmers was remarkable.

After one year of protest,

the government of India had no choice

but to back down and repeal the new farm laws

in the light of some of the largest protests

our nation had seen since independence.

Why were these farmers risking their lives to protest?

What compelled them to protest for over a year

risking their lives?

The farmers were protesting laws that were passed in September of 2020,

without due process or debate in Parliament.

These laws aimed to increase private investment in agriculture,

while limiting government safeguards such as price control.

As I watched and read about these farmer protests,

I began to think about the impact that farming had on myself

and the people around me.

And I spent the summer of my ninth grade year

interning at an agriculture financial technology company

to deepen my understanding of the issues that these farmers face.

A very basic truth,

that is often overlooked by my generation,

is that we are entirely dependent on farmers for our sustenance.

However, while we reap the benefits that these farmers provide,

many of them are drowning in debt,

facing shockingly low incomes

and a lack of mechanisation and digitization,

and suffer from the effects of climate change.

Just last year in India, more than 5,000 farmers,

both debt-ridden and depressed, took their lives.

About 90% of the world’s 570 million farms,

are smallholder farms

that consist of less than five acres of land.

Many of these farmers face the same struggles,

and these farms produce 80 % of the world’s food supply.

First, there's a lack of awareness of good agricultural practices

and safe use of agrochemicals.

Second, in most countries,

the middlemen in charge of transporting the crop

from the farm to the factory,

often takes advantage of the farmer

while pocketing cash or contaminating the crop with water or other chemicals.

Furthermore, farmers are unable to access credit,

duo to their lack of hard assets required for collateral.

And finally, farmland is being converted into commercial and industrial lands,

which leads to small plot sizes becoming even smaller.

As I began to research the financial plight of farmers,

I also began to understand the internal linkages between

climate change and agriculture.

On the one hand, extreme weather events,

like the heat wave we’ve just experienced in Delhi,

have wiped out crops.

On the other hand,

certain agricultural practices are extremely harmful to the environment.

In India, the situation is much, much worse.

Delhi is ranked one of the most polluted cities in the world,

and farming practices such as crop burning in North India,

have helped aid to this pollution crisis.

Farmers burn their fields or stubble before sowing a new crop,

and the period between rice harvesting and sowing wheat is very short.

So the quickest way to clear the fields for the wheat is to burn the stubble.

As farmers in Punjab burn their fields in October through November,

a heavy smoke blankets Punjab and spreads towards India.

Just three days after the Valley last year,

the Air Quality Index in Delhi was severe, at 436.

40% of this was due to crop burning residue,

causing the air to appear hazy and unbreathable.

As a generation, we are unapologetically dependent on farmers to sustain us.

Yet they are struggling to sustain themselves.

They are grappling with issues like pilferage, debt and low income,

oppressive policies and climate change.

We need these farmers to grow our food,

and tend to the planet we have so shamelessly abused.

You may be thinking,

“What can I do to help?”

First step would be to further educate yourself

on the plight of smallholder farmers in India,

around the world and in your country.

Get involved in the political discussion around government farm policies

as they ultimately impact the food that you eat

and the air that you breathe.

It is not just a regional issue,

but an issue that impacts our entire planet.

Thank you so much and have a nice evening.

(Applause)