Mysore, May 22 (UNI) The Consortium of Indian Farmers Association (CIFA) today demanded a separate Union Budget under the Ministry of Agriculture, comprising water resources, food processing and commodity committees, to ensure that budget allocations as well as its implementation were more focused.
Addressing mediapersons here, its Secretary General P Chengal Reddy said the CIFA aimed at empowering farmers by involving them in management of market yards, water users associations and electricity distribution, and bringing down production disparities amongst States. There were four core areas which had to be paid more attention -- technology accessibility, partnership of farmers in production of agricultural crops, lobbying for policy development and playing a complementary role in implementation of favourable Government policies.
He said over one lakh farmers committing suicide between 1990 and 2004 in the country had disturbed not only the policy markers, but also farmer leaders. While those representing the industry and services sector in the country were globally competitive, the farm sector was on the downward trend. Stagnation in agriculture productivity, huge unemployment, import of oil seeds and wheat, and spread of naxalism had indicated that the Legislature and Executive were unable to solve the farm crisis.
He said the core strategy of CIFA was to build a strong farmers network under commodity councils. The councils at different levels would be more effective in dealing with research related issues and the processing industry. Cutting across geographical and language barriers, the councils would be more focused and dynamic, he added.
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Addressing mediapersons here, its Secretary General P Chengal Reddy said the CIFA aimed at empowering farmers by involving them in management of market yards, water users associations and electricity distribution, and bringing down production disparities amongst States. There were four core areas which had to be paid more attention -- technology accessibility, partnership of farmers in production of agricultural crops, lobbying for policy development and playing a complementary role in implementation of favourable Government policies.
He said over one lakh farmers committing suicide between 1990 and 2004 in the country had disturbed not only the policy markers, but also farmer leaders. While those representing the industry and services sector in the country were globally competitive, the farm sector was on the downward trend. Stagnation in agriculture productivity, huge unemployment, import of oil seeds and wheat, and spread of naxalism had indicated that the Legislature and Executive were unable to solve the farm crisis.
He said the core strategy of CIFA was to build a strong farmers network under commodity councils. The councils at different levels would be more effective in dealing with research related issues and the processing industry. Cutting across geographical and language barriers, the councils would be more focused and dynamic, he added.
MORE UNI BSP GD SB RN1609
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