By Harihar Tripathy
Today marks Akshaya Tritiya, the most sacred festival for agriculture and those who toil on the land. On this auspicious day, the farmer bows to Mother Earth—the foundation of his life and livelihood—and performs the ritual of ‘Akhimuthi,’ the ceremonial sowing of the first handful of seeds. Within that single fistful of grain, he encapsulates a year’s worth of dreams and a sacred resolve to provide food for the entire world.
This year, too, the ritual will be performed in the fields. However, the deep-seated sincerity and enthusiasm that once defined this tradition seem to have vanished into thin air. In recent years, while Akshaya Tritiya has been celebrated with grand pomp across the state, it has evolved more into a media spectacle and a propaganda tool for political parties rather than a genuine festival for the farmer. Under the glare of electronic media cameras, politicians pose with plows for a “photo-op,” and these images are broadcasted relentlessly. Whether such displays ignite any real hope or confidence in the heart of a struggling farmer remains a haunting question.
The irony is that nature is no longer an ally to the farmer. There was a time when Akshaya Tritiya was greeted by the first showers of the season, softening the earth and filling the farmer’s heart with joy. Today, due to climate change and environmental irregularities, the fields lie parched and cracked. Sowing seeds in such dry, unyielding earth out of mere tradition feels less like a ritual and more like a tragic comedy.
Furthermore, Akshaya Tritiya is now gaining more fame in cities as a “Gold Buying Festival” for the urban elite rather than a day of honor for the tiller of the soil. While the wealthy queue up at jewelry stores to flaunt their affluence, the Annadata (the provider of food) remains marginalized. Every government claims to be the benefactor of the farmer, yet his misery never ends. It is a heartbreaking reality that the man who feeds the nation is today dependent on free government rice rather than the produce of his own land. It is even doubtful whether he possesses a handful of quality seeds of his own to begin his work today.
In such a dire situation, the role of the government must go beyond distributing temporary relief packages or doles. A farmer’s son does not seek charity; he seeks the dignity of his labor and a fair price for his sweat. If the government truly desires the upliftment of the farming community, it must take decisive steps to make agriculture a profitable profession.
First, to combat the uncertainty of rain, a network of check dams and water reservoirs must be constructed in rural areas to ensure year-round irrigation. Second, it must be ensured that subsidies for seeds and machinery reach the farmers directly, bypassing the corrupt grip of middlemen.
Today, the farmer is a victim of distress sales. Due to a lack of cold storage, vegetable farmers are forced to sell their hard-earned produce for a pittance. Therefore, the establishment of adequate cold storage facilities and food processing units in every block is the need of the hour. Despite several government declarations, the construction of these facilities remains a distant dream on the ground.
Moreover, the government must create a direct link between the farmer and the market to eliminate the influence of middlemen. If a farmer receives a fair price for his crop, his children will not be forced to migrate to other states as ‘Dadan’ laborers, nor will any farmer be driven to the brink of suicide. Technical knowledge regarding high-yield crops for low-rainfall areas and soil-testing facilities must be brought to the farmer’s doorstep.
Mere announcements of schemes are not enough; there must be a neutral and transparent evaluation to see if the benefits are reaching the farmer standing at the very end of the line. Until the economic condition of the farmer improves, the ceremonial plowing by leaders in the fields will remain nothing more than a theatrical performance to preserve a dying tradition. The fate of the farmer will remain shrouded in the same darkness as before.
The time has come for the administration to address the root causes of these problems. Only then will Akshaya Tritiya transform from a mere ritual into a festival of ‘everlasting’ (Akshaya) joy for the farmer.
