Published Paper Details:

The implications of the Government of India's monetary policies on farmers have been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate in the past four years. This research paper focuses on the soft commodity market, specifically targeting agricultural produce. The study aims to evaluate the extent of the benefit of the new Agriculture reforms and Farm Bills and suggest alternative sources of income for the farmers of India. Secondly, this study analyzes the price of commodities (wheat, rice, cotton, mustard, pearl millet, pigeon pea) at which the farmers can sell their produce in APMCs and to what extent MSP is being followed by the traders and buyers of a farmer's produce. By exploring alternative income sources, the research paper proposes strategies to empower farmers and enhance their economic resilience. The research adopts a mixed-method approach to achieve these objectives, combining quantitative analysis of agricultural data and commodity market trends and qualitative insights gathered through questionnaires (from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu), and expert perspectives. The results of this study show more exploitation than benefits brought down by the new monetary policies for the farmers and their dissatisfaction with the current MSP. The study analysis shows unfair policies against the farmers and more power to traders and big companies. This research also highlights the awareness level of different government schemes and policies among the farmers surveyed.