Recently, I was at work in north Karnataka. I decided to visit a few khadi institutes, a ginning mill, and an indigo dyer spread across two districts in a single day. Knowing it would be a long day, I left early in the morning from Hubli and headed towards Badami in a taxi. With the harvesting season in full swing, I expected a cotton harvest. However, I hoped to meet a few farmers and gain more insight into cotton farming from their perspective.
On my way, near Naragunda, I happened upon a farmer in his cotton field. Seizing the opportunity, I exited my cab and approached him, hoping he had the time and interest to chat. Here's how our conversation unfolded:
Me: Namaskara, my name is Ravi. I am from Bengaluru and am heading towards Badami for work. I wanted to talk to you. I hope I'm not bothering you.
Naagappa: Namaskara, nobody stops on this road. It's okay; you can talk. I just finished my breakfast. Ask your driver to park his car under the tree.
Me: I like the shirt you are wearing.
Naagappa: (smiling) My wife stitched this for me a few years ago using my grandson's old school uniform. But now she has terrible eyesight, so I've asked her not to sit on the sewing machine anymore.
Me: How many acres is this land, and is it yours?
Naagappa: It's four acres, and I've taken it on lease from my landlord.
Me: How much do you have to pay him?
Naagappa: I must give him 30% of my earnings. He's a nice man.
Me: Is this BT cotton?
Naagappa: Yes.
Me: What could be your cotton yield this year?
Naagappa: I don't expect at most five quintals an acre this time. It's half of what they usually say.
Me: Who are ''they''?
Naagappa: The seed suppliers. Last year, the yield was good, but just before the bloom, this entire region had a pest attack. All of us lost a lot of money. We were angry with the shop owner for not giving us pest-resistant seeds. Instead of refunding, he advised us to buy more pesticides. So this time, when I went to buy seeds, the shop owner told me that he couldn't guarantee the seed and that I needed to talk to the seed manufacturing company if things went wrong. I didn't have a choice, so I bought them.
Me: How much does the seed cost?
Naagappa: There are many varieties. The one I used here costs 800 rupees for a packet (450 grams), and I need one packet per acre. The cost can go up to 1500 rupees a packet.
Me: Is there a pest problem this year also?
Naagappa: Less, but I have sprayed insecticide. This time, there is no rain; hence, the yield is lower.
Me: What do you do for water, and how much does the insecticide cost?
Naagappa: Some Malaprabha River water comes to us through a canal. This year, the canal is being repaired, so there is no water. I had to hire a pump set for two days, get the water from my neighbour's farmland, and pay for the water. Don't ask me about the insecticide. I have spent a lot of money. This time, my son-in-law helped me with it.
Me: Okay, what's the buying price you expect this year for this variety of BT cotton?
Naagappa: A known person (middleman) in the village buys it from me. I expect at least 4500 rupees a quintal, but I don't know.
Me: Is that the MSP (minimum support price)?
Naagappa: I don't know about that.
Me: Don't you go to the APMC yard to sell your cotton?
Naagappa: No, I am not used to it. Moreover, I need help affording the transportation costs. This person I know gives me cash in my village and has also given me a loan.
Me: Are you a part of any farmers ' cooperatives or a self-help group?
Naagappa: No, but my landlord is. I have attended meetings earlier but do not understand what these officials say because I am illiterate.
Me: Are you happy?
Naagappa: I was happy last week. My grandchildren were at home for the festival.
Me: That's so nice, but I meant, are you happy growing BT cotton?
Naagappa: No.
Me: What if the government or any farmers ' society promises to compensate you for the price difference? I know that organically grown cotton yield would be less.
Naagappa: Earlier, we all used to grow Jayadhara and reuse our seeds. My ancestors used to predict the rain pattern accurately, but we can no longer expect that. If reasonable payment is ensured, then most of us will grow Jayadhara. BT cotton is for the pocket, and Jayadhara is for the soul.
Me: I have a camera in my bag. Can I take your photo?
Naagappa: Are you going to make me famous?
Me: I wish I could, but no. I am not a journalist. Some of my friends may like to know what you just told me, so I want to write.
Naagappa: Okay, write. But what do you do?
Me: Nothing significant. I design clothes.
Me: Do you know how much you have already spent growing BT cotton on this four-acre land? It might help you understand your profits.
Naagappa: .......(silence)
By then, it was time for us to return to our work. He plucked a branch of the plant with a cotton flower and gave it to me. I offered him a couple of bananas that I was carrying, and he took them reluctantly. Before leaving, I wished him luck, and in return, he screamed at my driver to drive carefully. That's how he preferred blessing me.
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This is not a post to solve Naagappa's plight alone; as we all know, we are surrounded by many like him. This is neither investigative journalism nor an effort to find all the answers to solve a complex problem most of our farmers face today. I came back with more questions than answers and will continue to ask more of them. Inhaling the future and exhaling the past is a part of life that induces hopefulness. We must be hopeful for someone like Naagappa, and that's the least we can do.
What we need to hope for is for farmers to own their seeds, to have smaller cotton farmers' collectives with better bargaining power, a policy change from the khadi institutes to procure locally grown Indigenous cotton, an agriculture university which has a robust training and seed bank facility, a government which incentivizes the farmer and looks into crop insurance, a design community which does not reduce fair trade – sustainability – organic cotton to irresponsible hashtags/fashion weeks, social enterprises which challenge the existing system and create sustainable linkages, a society which believes in supporting farmers cause and pays a better price for the products and makes farmers like Naagappa happy, and that is possible.
Next time, when you are zipping through the highway of your life, stop by, pause, engage with a farmer, and show them your solidarity.
Will you?
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