Crop diversification, monetary security, and assured procurement: Details of the generous Govt proposal that protesting farmers rejected

On 18th February, the Narendra Modi-led central government put forth a proposal during discussions with farmer unions from Punjab who are currently protesting. As per sources in the government, the proposal would have helped the farmers from Punjab to move away from water-intensive crops such as wheat and paddy. By rejecting the proposal, the farmer unions prioritised short-term gains over the long-term interests of the farmers from Punjab and ecology. Government sources stated that the protesting farmers want to cling to the traditional crops, and this has restricted them from accessing new markets.