A former company executive and economist, now participating in a discussion on farmers’ protests, asserts that overpopulation is adversely affecting farming, emphasizing the need to create new urban jobs.
Meanwhile, a local paan shop owner observes that farmers’ children are reluctant to engage in agriculture, opting to sell their land instead. A respected Hindi anchor addresses a farmers’ representative, expressing concern about the agriculture minister’s absence during the farmers’ plight. The representative, referred to as “Kaka” (uncle), responds that farmers traditionally seek fair support prices from the government.
These scenarios and dialogues share a common theme: they involve males discussing what is perceived as a predominantly male issue, to be resolved by men. Such responses echo the prevailing sentiments about the challenges in farming communities.
People are echoing and responding to messages like those above. But what if women, particularly women farmers and daily-wage laborers, were to express their perspectives on the matter?