They largely belonged to Punjab and cultivated
on an average 2.94 acres, says study
As the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s farm
laws at the State borders of Delhi is about to
complete a year, a recent socio-economic study
by researchers associated with the Punjabi
University at Patiala says most of those who lost
their lives during the movement are “small and
marginal farmers” and “landless cultivators
The study titled “Separating Wheat from the
Chaff: Farm Laws, Farmers’ Protest and
Outcomes” points out that those who have died
cultivated on an average 2.94 acres and if
landless farmers who cultivate the contracted
land are included, the average size goes down to
2.26 acres.
Lakhwinder Singh, Professor Emeritus,
department of economics at Khalsa college,
Punjabi University, and Baldev Shergill,
Assistant Professor, department of social
sciences, Punjabi University Guru Kashi campus
at Talwandi Sabo, have recently presented their
findings on the basis of data collected about 460
farmers.
The estimated number of farmers and
agricultural workers, who died between
November 26, 2020 and October 26, 2021, was
600, according to the study.
It is important to note that the farmers who died
largely belong to Punjab as many from the State
are participating in the protest