FOR FARMERS AT NAGPUR ON 1
stMAY, 2006.
1. Introduction
The Consultation was organized by the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) in collaboration with the College of Agriculture, Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapith (PDKV) at Nagpur on 1st May, 2006. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, NCF was accompanied by Shri Y. C. Nanda, Member and Ms. R. V. Bhavani, Director (Technical). Farmers, Farmer Organizations, NGOs, Media Representatives, Scientists from Universities and ICAR Institutions, Bankers, officials of State Govt. and other stakeholders participated in the Consultation. The major suggestions/issues raised during the Consultation were as under:-
2. General Suggestions and Observations
i) The deficiencies in rural infrastructure like energy, roads and communication were highlighted. There should be proper all-weather roads to bring the produce home.
ii) Concern was expressed that both renewable and non-renewable energy sources were incapable of meeting demand for electricity for irrigation and other purposes.
iii) Enquiries about alternative energy sources like bio-fuels were also discussed but it was also felt that the land requirement was very high and often income to be generated was exaggerated.
iv) Farmers complained that bribe had to be given for inclusion in the BPL list.
v) Due to declining predator population the threat of attack from wild boars had increased. These were causing widespread damage to crops. The Wildlife Protection Act must be reviewed to enable some solution to address this problem. There should be compensation for crop damaged by wildlife attack.
vi) There should be thrust on organic farming in the region; inspite of huge investment on chemical farming, farmers were not getting adequate return.
vii) There should be taluka and district level farmers’ associations.
viii) Representatives of farmers should be there in the Vidhan Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
ix) Like Govt servants, farmers also need financial security.
x) Crop-livestock integrated farming should be introduced in the region.
xi) Healthcare facilities in villages is very poor.
xii) There should be village-level storage facility to prevent distress sale.
xiii) Farmers should also be provided with appropriate schemes for insurance, pension and old age support.
xiv) Most cooperatives had degenerated with control by vested interests; a major overhauling is needed with a fine blend of autonomy and regulation.
xv) A Farmers’ Welfare Fund should be setup to be used for meeting crisis situations.
xvi) Lot of agricultural land is being usurped by industry without adequate compensation. Owners are given promises of jobs that never materialize.
xvii) Counseling Centres maybe setup to provide advice and counseling to farmers in distress areas.
xviii) There should be both Land Use and Labour Use Policy.
3. Cotton Farming
i) The difficulties faced by the cotton farmers in the Vidarbha region like low productivity, high input cost, lack of marketing infrastructure etc. were discussed in detail.
ii) The Cotton Corporation of India and the Mill Federation did not honour their promises to the farmers. They bought locally only if it was cheap. Otherwise cotton is imported.
ii) The NCF recommendation to increase import duty on raw cotton to 30% had not been accepted.
iii) While the input cost rose 6 times due to rise in prices of the pesticides, seeds etc.
the output prices remained the same in Vidharbha.
iv) It was also felt that sugarcane was the favoured crop and there was an inherent bias against cotton farming.
v) The importance of setting up processing units in the region was emphasized.
4. Inputs
i) Farmers complained that the power supply was highly erratic which led to the burning of motors.
ii) Several irrigation projects awaited completion in the region.
iii) The waiting time for connection to energize pumps was really long.
iv) The issue of failed bore-wells was also raised.
v) In Chandrapur the conflict between irrigation project and forest conservation was highlighted. Part of the project is through forest area and it is therefore lying incomplete. A study on the subject carried out by Drs. Rani Bang and Prakash Amte was mentioned.
vi) There was shortage of agricultural labour. It should be ensured that agricultural labour gets the statutory minimum wage to encourage labour retention; The minimum wage for agricultural labour should be as per the 6th Pay Commission recommendation for IV class staff.
vii) Quality inputs should be made available at affordable price.
viii) Farmers should be encouraged to keep their own seeds.
ix) Terminator technology for seeds should not be allowed.
x) Soil health enhancement should be taken up to enhance productivity.
xi) Seed cost is very high. There should be safeguards in the Seed Bill to ensure that farmers are allowed to use their own seed.
5. Credit and Insurance
i) A number of credit related issues were raised. It was pointed out that interest payments were far greater than the principal amount.
ii) Questions were raised on whether the cutting down of the layers of the cooperative credit structure will help.
iii) Stakeholders complained that the bank staff was not available after 5 p.m. when it was convenient for farmers and their behavior was rude.
iv) Farmers’ debt should be waived; when banks can help loss-making corporations, why not rehabilitate farmers.
v) Credit should be given at less than 4% interest rate.
vi) Agri graduates should be given subsidy to start agro-units at village level.
vii) Crop insurance coverage is poor. Farmers lack information.
viii) Insurance compensation takes a long time in coming; does not provide relief at time of need.
ix) Indebtedness is the main cause of farmer suicide.
x) Just interest rate reduction will not solve the problem; total restructuring of loans is required.
xi) Separate provision should be made in the budget for payment of premium and compensation to farmers.
xii) The concessions given for industrial loans are not extended to farmers.
xiii) There should be a loan window with provision for personal consumption loans for farmers.
6. Market and Price
i) The Purchase Centre set up by the government did not work. The general perception was that the intervention of State was not strong enough.
ii) Opening of Purchase Centres should synchronise with harvesting of a crop and number of centres should be increased; Payment should be prompt and there should be safe storage facility available in case of delay in purchase.
iii) MSP should cover cost of production; It should be decided State-wise because cost of production varies from State to State.
iv) Import duty on cotton should be increased.
7. The Members assured the full consideration of the suggestions received and the written representations made by the participants. They also thanked the PDKV and State Government for the courtesy shown.