news18.com
Hundreds of thousands of Indian farmers marched through the city of New Delhi in a yearlong protest against measures aimed at boosting agricultural productivity.
Up to a million farmers and community members took part in the march and assembled in Shahdara, a residential area in the centre of the capital, where they sang, danced and offered prayers.
In the march, farmers celebrated the 14th anniversary of the movement led by Kisan Jagran Sammelan, an annual convention that has succeeded in bringing to the fore issues related to farmer rights and policies in India.
According to the Government of India, India’s farm sector accounts for more than 40 percent of its GDP. However, the sector suffers from several issues, including uneven income distribution, and high borrowing costs, according to the 2013-14 Economic Survey.
Several previous agitations have been organised by farmers in recent months.
Demonstrations against the Centre’s new loan waivers, proposed farm production targets and a variety of problems were also held across the country recently.