Akhilesh Yadav Urges Bold Reforms: Government Must Prioritize Creating Markets for Farmers

Lucknow, India — June 21, 2025:
Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has made a powerful appeal to the central government, stressing the critical importance of creating markets for farmers to ensure their economic upliftment. At a time when the rural economy is facing significant challenges, Yadav has brought farmer issues back to the national spotlight.

Speaking at a press event, Yadav said that while subsidies and schemes are necessary, they will not provide long-term solutions unless the government works towards establishing reliable and accessible markets for farmers.

Farmers Need Market Access, Not Just Promises

Yadav stated clearly that the agrarian crisis in India cannot be addressed solely by providing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) or loan waivers. “What the Indian farmer truly needs is access to a dependable and remunerative market for their produce,” he said, underlining the repeated failures of existing policies.

He emphasized that creating markets for farmers is not just about infrastructure but also about fair pricing, removing middlemen, and ensuring transparent trade practices.

“Real progress will happen when a farmer knows that his hard work will be rewarded fairly. That assurance can only come from strong, accessible, and farmer-friendly markets,” Yadav said.

Policy Shift Required: Agriculture Must Link to Economy

Akhilesh Yadav’s statements come at a time when farmer income remains a serious concern despite ambitious government targets. The vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022 has largely remained unfulfilled, and discontent has been simmering across agrarian states.

According to Yadav, a serious policy shift is required where agriculture is not treated in isolation but becomes deeply linked to the broader economy through creating markets for farmers.

He criticized what he called “photo-op politics” and underlined the urgency of real reforms.

Samajwadi Party to Raise Farmer Market Issues Nationally

Yadav also confirmed that the Samajwadi Party will raise the issue of creating markets for farmers in the upcoming Parliament session and in political campaigns. He stressed that rural India’s future depends on this vital shift.

The party is expected to push for:

• Strengthening rural market infrastructure
• Legal reforms to support fair trade
• Direct farmer-to-consumer platforms
• Investment in cold chains and logistics

Ground Reality: Markets Still Inaccessible to Most Farmers

Despite multiple announcements over the years, the reality on the ground remains bleak for a large section of India’s farming community. Small and marginal farmers often have to sell their produce at throwaway prices due to lack of access to competitive markets.

Yadav noted that creating markets for farmers is a goal that should have been accomplished years ago. He added that until farmers have the power to choose where and to whom they sell, the sector will continue to face distress.

Farmers Need Dignity, Not Just Donations

In a heartfelt message, Yadav concluded by saying, “Our farmers don’t want charity, they want dignity. And that dignity can only come when we focus on creating markets for farmers where they are not exploited.”

He appealed to the youth, policy-makers, and business leaders to come together in building a market-driven agricultural ecosystem that genuinely uplifts farmers.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Indian Agriculture

Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks serve as a wake-up call to policymakers. It is clear that creating markets for farmers must be at the core of any serious agricultural reform in India. Without it, no amount of subsidy, loan waiver, or insurance scheme will bring lasting change.

With the 2025 political landscape heating up, Yadav’s push for market access could become a key agenda point—not only for his party but for Indian politics as a whole.