The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) opined recently that the farm bills enacted by the Indian
government can potentially pave a pathway for further agricultural reforms,
highlighting, however, that those stuck during the transition in a bad situation
might need a social security net to avoid negative impact, PTI reported.

“We believe
the farm bills do have the potential to represent a significant step forward
for agricultural reforms in India,” Gerry Rice, Director of Communications
at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), was quoted by PTI as saying in a news
conference in Washington on Thursday, furthering his case by adding that the
changes would decrease chances of interference by middlemen.

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“The measures
will enable farmers to directly contract with sellers, allow farmers to retain
a greater share of the surplus by reducing the role of middlemen, enhance
efficiency and support rural growth,” Rice said.

Taking on a
question about the farmers’ protest, however, the IMF official pointed out that those
affected by the transition would be needing a social safety net so as to avoid any adverse
effects, which he reportedly stated could be done through the job market in the
country accommodating said individuals.

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Thousands of farmers
mainly from the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been
protesting in the borders around Delhi since more than 50 days now, their demands
being a complete repealing of the laws as well as ensured Minimum Support Price
(MSP) from the government for their crops.