Haribhai Bhensdadiya, a 54-year-old farmer in Moti Danudhar village in Jamnagar district of Gujarat, sold cumin seed a few days ago for Rs 50,000. If Bhensdadiya had his way, he would have sold the lot for cash. But the trader who bought his produce wanted at least a part of the payment be made by cheque.

Bhensdadiya ended up receiving Rs 30,000 by cheque and Rs 20,000 in cash. “Cheques are not convenient, I have to wait for two days for them to clear. I prefer cash,” he said. As the government pushes for a cashless society, farmers are yet to come to terms with it. ...