A farmer lies under the belly of a tractor trolley next to a bonfire as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
NEW DELHI (AP) - Representatives of the Indian government and protesting farmers failed again Monday to reach agreement on the farmers' demand that new agricultural reform laws be repealed.
With the government refusing to revoke the legislation, the farmers pledged to continue blockading key highways linking the capital with the country's north. The two sides agreed to meet for more talks on Friday.
'œIt is up to the government whether it wants to solve the farmers' problems. We will not end our protests until our demands are met,'ť said Hannan Mollah, a leader of the farmers.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been blocking the highways for nearly 40 days despite the coronavirus pandemic, rains and an ongoing cold wave.
Farmers fear the government will stop buying grain at minimum guaranteed prices under the laws and that corporations will then push prices down. The government said it is willing to pledge that guaranteed prices will continue.
The farmers say the laws will lead to the cartelization and commercialization of agriculture and make farmers vulnerable to corporate greed.
The farmers have threatened to hold a rally on Jan. 26 when India celebrates Republic Day if their demands are not met.
In their last meeting on Dec. 30, the two sides reached a consensus on two issues - that the government would continue its subsidy of electricity for irrigating farms and that farmers would not be punished for burning crop residues, a cause of air pollution.
An Indian barber volunteering his services to the protesting farmers shaves a farmer as they block a highway in protest against new farm laws at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
A farmer, sitting next to a bonfire, lights a bidi, or hand-rolled tobacco, as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
Farmers listen to a speaker as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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A Sikh farmer listens to a speaker from a distance as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
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Farmers discuss inside a makeshift tent as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
Farmers huddle around a bonfire as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Ignoring the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers have been blockading highways connecting New Delhi to northern India for nearly five weeks, obstructing transportation and dealing a blow to manufacturing and businesses in the north. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
Farmers sort vegetables for community kitchen as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press
Farmers peel peas for community kitchen as they block a major highway in a protest against new farm laws while it rains at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border, India, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
The Associated Press