The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Bright future for ryots in dark continent'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 22, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Bright future for ryots in dark continent'

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JUNE 21. The newly-appointed advisor to the State Government on "Foreign Investments and Human Resource Placements", C.C. Reddy, proposed that the Government should think in terms of sending farmers abroad, specifically to Africa.

In a press release issued here on Monday, Mr. Reddy said that the "fertile lands and cheap labour" in African countries "could be made use of by our farmers" who had expertise but lacked resources like good land, irrigation, power and seed. He suggested that farmers should take up "co-operative farming in Africa through a Government-backed mechanism".

Further, Mr. Reddy argued that development of agriculture in Africa would necessitate small and medium industries and infrastructure, which can be set up by "our entrepreneurs". "Not only will this help us in trade and commerce, but [will] also help our country earn the African continent's goodwill, which will help us in the UN," Mr. Reddy added.

He added, "Unlike in the past where only specialists from IT and other specific fields could find placements abroad, now farmers also can do well abroad".

Regarding foreign investments and borrowing, Mr. Reddy said that "quality borrowing" would be the cornerstone of the new Government's policy. This would include "shopping for resources" to identify credit with lowest interest rates and minimal conditions. Further, the focus has to be on securing non-repayable grants, specifically from new sources like European Union and ASEAN.

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