TIRUCHI: The Consortium of Indian Farmers (CIFA) has called upon political parties in the State to come up with a farmers manifesto, spelling out their plans for development of the agriculture sector. The consortium has put forward a charter of demands before the political parties ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and urged farmers to support candidates who come forward to fulfil them.
Prominent among the demands of the CIFA was presentation of separate budget for agriculture sector, setting aside 70 per cent of Budgetary allocation for rural development and devolution of powers to the local bodies for agricultural planning.
Copies of the demands have been given to the political parties, said P.Chengal Reddy, secretary general, CIFA, speaking to reporters here.
Mr.Reddy called upon the Central and State government to give a push for the agriculture sector, especially in the “critical areas” of farm mechanisation, risk mitigation, and irrigation projects.
The consortium demanded 50 per cent subsidy and soft loans for farm mechanisation, substantial allocations for irrigation projects and extending the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme to cover agriculture work.
Expressing concern over the growing income disparity between the agriculture sector and the industrial or service sectors, Mr.Reddy blamed the wrong policies and meagre allocation for the ills plaguing the agriculture sector in the country now.
The farm gate price of agriculture produce remained static despite the increasing prices of food grains and products in the open market.
Farmers, especially tenant farmers, were facing problems in getting credit. The power shortage in Tamil Nadu was adversely affecting agriculture operations.
The government should allow and promote private participation in areas such as agricultural research, setting up of warehouses and bazaar and introduction of modern technology. Livestock development should be given a thrust, he said.
Despite efforts, the government has not been able to achieve the stated objective of four per cent growth rate in agriculture sector.
The Central and State government should implement the recommendation of the M.S.Swaminathan Committee to fix the procurement price of farm produce taking into account the cost of production and allowing 50 per cent profit to the farmers, said R.V.Giri, general secretary, CIFA, Tamil Nadu, and G.Ajithan, technical secretary, CIFA, Tamil Nadu.