Most of the protesters are farmers from northern Punjab and Haryana states, the two biggest agricultural producers. Farmers also fear that the legislation signals the government is moving away from a system in which an overwhelming majority of farmers sell only to government-sanctioned marketplaces. These perceived threats to their income terrify India's farmers, who are mostly smallholders: A staggering 68 per cent of them own less than 1ha. The Modi government says the legislation will benefit farmers by boosting production through private investment. Indian policemen beat farmers driving a tractor towards the heart of the city as a sign of protest against new farm laws, during India's Republic Day.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 27, 2021 23:03 UTC