Call it the temporary truce in the ongoing battle between Maharashtra government and the state’s farm community.After a meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , thousands of farmers, who have been rallying under the aegis of the All-India Kisan Sabha to highlight their plight, have called off their agitation. In the past two days, the country’s financial capital Mumbai witnessed its biggestever protest by farmers, who are pushed to the wall thanks to mounting debt, poor crop and of course an indifferent government.Farmers in Maharashtra, one of the worst-hit states that recorded the maximum number of farmer suicides last year, are demanding a waiver of their electricity charges and bank loans, higher support prices for their crops and also a pension scheme to keep their home fires burning.Going by early indications, looks like the Fadnavis government has conceded to most of their demands, backed with a promise to enact a new legislation that will allow conversion of forest land for farm use soon.Experts point out that the biggest problem facing the country’s farmers today is the abysmally low prices for their produce. Food processing is still in its nascent stages, leading to a lot of wastage of crops and vegetables.Agriculturists say public investment in farm infrastructure is few and far between, and unless the government rectifies this problem, the fortunes of farmers are unlikely to improve.On ET NOW’s India Development Debate economists and agriculturists discussed ways to improve farmers’ plight. Here are some key takeaways:SPOKESPERSON, BJPThis is a very sensitive issue. And the government is giving unconditional support. Look at what we inherited. The march was led by a group of Adivasi farmers and their issues were totally different. You need to understand they are back on the train to Nasik, absolutely happy. Every single issue has been addressed. It is a fact that state’s coffers are empty. Still the loan waiver scheme is absolutely on.CHAIRMAN, BHARAT KRISHAK SAMAJThis situation inherited by the Fadnavis government was bad, but that excuse doesn’t hold water anymore. Farmers are upset in all BJP-ruled states. They are also upset because of broken promises. The basic issue is that market prices are even below the support prices. They need to understand how MSP is calculated. What is being announced is far from what has been delivered on the ground.SPOKESPERSON, CONGRESSThe government is trying to shift the lies. We have been saying the Swaminathan Committee should be implemented in its true form. They are spreading too much confusion. Right now, there is no MSP in any state as per the new formula. For the first time, import of agricultural products is increasing. If these schemes are very successful, then why is agricultural growth remaining at less than 2%? At this rate, farmers’ income will double only in 2054.PROFESSOR, ICRIERThere is a crisis situation in Maharashtra. If the government is not waking up now, there will be social uproar. We can discuss and debate whether loan waiver is a rational choice or a band-aid. It is not going to solve the problem. It is going to postpone the crisis for another year or more. There is a fair chance that the loan waiver demand spreads. The first thing is to get away from consumer bias; the Essential Commodities Act should be shown the door.FOUNDER, SWARAJ INDIA POLITICAL PARTYThe tragedy strikes only farmers. We are now witnessing Round III. Yes, you can say things are positive. The government has reacted thanks to media and Mumbaikars’ solidarity. The government has bought peace for now, but this problem is unlikely to go away soon. While we keep debating what the MSP should be, the fact is that even those MSPs that have been already announced by the government are not being implemented.