Agricultural stability across South Asia is facing a dual crisis as extreme weather patterns decimate crop yields while rapid industrial land acquisition threatens the livelihoods of millions.
Heatwaves and the Collapse of Rain-Fed Agriculture
The agricultural sector in South Asia is reeling from temperatures that have turned once-productive lands into high-risk zones. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, extreme heat has caused mass failure of mango blossoms and early-stage fruit, while subsequent hailstorms have further reduced yields. Farmers are now facing a “weak monsoon” outlook, which is particularly dangerous for a region where 60% of cultivated land relies entirely on rainfall, according to reports provided by La Via Campesina.
The human cost is mounting. Landless farm labourers, particularly women, report increasing hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses, including kidney injuries and cardiovascular strain. As working hours diminish due to the heat, daily wages have plummeted, restricting families’ access to basic nutrition and medical care. In response, farmers’ organizations are demanding direct income support, full or partial waivers on agricultural loans, and compensation at prevailing market rates.
Resistance Against Industrial Land Acquisition in Bengaluru
In Karnataka, India, tensions are rising over the proposed 9,600-acre Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), marketed by the state government as an “AI-powered city.” The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has mobilized to support farmers in Bidadi who refuse to surrender 518 acres of fertile land earmarked for the project’s first phase.
The stakes for regional food security are high. Media reports indicate that the acquisition would result in the loss of over 400 acres of ragi cultivation and a daily loss of 6 lakh litres of milk production across the 26 villages involved. Farmers argue that the state’s focus on urban expansion neglects rural infrastructure, threatening the biodiversity and the traditional livelihoods that have sustained the region for generations.
Trade Policy Concerns: The India–US FTA Negotiations
The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM) has formally requested that the Prime Minister exclude agriculture from ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United States. The coalition, representing organizations from 13 states, warns that reducing import tariffs on products like cotton, red sorghum, and soybean oil will leave domestic farmers unable to compete with heavily subsidized US imports.
Beyond tariffs, the committee raised alarms regarding seed sovereignty and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. They argue that US-backed intellectual property provisions could restrict the traditional right of farmers to save and trade seeds. Furthermore, the ICCFM claims the US is pressuring India at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to weaken the MSP framework, a move that could jeopardize the incomes of millions of rice and wheat farmers.
Tenant Farmer Evictions and the Fight for Land Rights in Pakistan
In Pakistan, over 50 organizations, including the Pakistan Kissan Rabta Committee (PKRC) and Anjuman Mazareen Punjab (AMP), have launched a campaign to halt forced evictions in Sahiwal. These communities have cultivated the land since 1914, yet they now face displacement due to corporate farming initiatives and the “Green Pakistan Initiative.”
The affected population includes approximately 105 families—nearly 3,000 people—whose survival is tied to these 250 acres. The coalition is demanding immediate legal recognition of historical land claims and a moratorium on all evictions until the rights of tenant farmers are formally protected by the government.
The Kekirawa Declaration: A Roadmap for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s farming sector, battered by years of economic instability and climate disasters, has issued the “Kekirawa Declaration.” This 14-point plan calls for a structural overhaul of the agricultural economy to favor small-scale producers over market monopolies. Key proposals include:
- Strengthening the Rice Marketing Board to guarantee fair prices for farmers.
- Halting “green” privatization models promoted by the International Monetary Fund.
- Implementing urgent relief measures for post-disaster recovery.
- Protecting public commons from corporate encroachment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are farmers protesting against the proposed “AI City” in India?
Farmers in Bidadi are protesting because the project would displace them from fertile land, threatening local food production, including 6 lakh litres of daily milk output and substantial ragi and fruit harvests.
What is the primary concern regarding the India–US trade agreement?
The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements fears that reducing import tariffs will allow subsidized US agricultural products to flood the market, making it impossible for local farmers to compete.
What are the main demands of the Kekirawa Declaration in Sri Lanka?
The declaration demands structural changes to the economy, including guaranteed floor prices for crops, an end to market monopolies, and a shift away from the privatization of public land and resources.
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