For the last few months, farmer groups in India have been protesting. In the largest protest of its kind by farmer groups in over 3 decades, farmers have marched on the capital city of Delhi, occupying highways and launching strikes. They have received the support of all opposition parties in the country, of solidarity demonstrations internationally, of Indian trade unions and beyond.

The strike centres on a package of three laws passed by Narendra Modi’s BJP government. One of these laws de-regulate sales areas in the country and open it up to the free market. The second one promotes contract farming in India allowing for greater corporatisation of Indian agriculture and the third one promotes hoarding for agribusinesses. The other primary demand of the farmer groups is to ensure they receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their farming produce.

In this session, we will be joined by representatives of small farmers and the farmers’ movement in India to learn more about this strike against the corporate domination of India’s agricultural system and in defence of the rights of peasants and small farmers.