The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Draft new agricultural policy aims at providing more security to farmers'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 20, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Others

`Draft new agricultural policy aims at providing more security to farmers'

Staff Reporter

Definition of farmer to be widened to include fishermen, sheep rearers etc.

M.S. Swaminathan

Sangareddy: Chairman of the National Farmers' Commission M.S. Swaminathan addressing a gathering of district officials, scientists and farmers from Mahabubnagar and Medak at the Patancheru-based Icrisat on Wednesday said the definition of a farmer could be widened in the draft new agricultural policy.

According to a press release Dr. Swaminathan pointed out that earlier only those who depended on farming for a living were classified as farmers. As per the new definition, tenants, small and marginal farmers, corporate farmers, fishermen, dairy farmers, poultry owners, sheep rearers, beekeepers, vermiculturists, tribal families and those who depend on forest produce would also be considered under the category.

Salient features

He said efforts were being made to provide more security and income to farmers through the policy.

The salient features of the agenda include curtailing suicide, completing equitable distribution of land, ensuring gender equality in agriculture, increasing the involvement of youth and creating an atmosphere for healthy competition.

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