Karnataka - Bellary   

‘Agricultural policy silent on farmers’ welfare’

BELLARY: The comprehensive agricultural policy brought out by the State Government claims to be farmer-centric but is silent about how it will help those dependent on agriculture, T.R. Chandrashekar, Professor and Head of the Department of Development Studies, Kannada University, Hampi, has said.

He was speaking at a conference of farmers organised by the Bellary Institute of Chartered Accountants, in association with Canara Bank and Pragati Grameen Bank, here on Saturday. “There are over 132 lakh people in the State, including 42 lakh women, working as agricultural labourers, but the new agricultural policy says nothing about their welfare. Farmers and agricultural workers are considered as instruments of development. If they are not a part of it, the ultimate objective of the policy is questionable,” he said, stressing the need to incorporate their interests in the document.

Clarifying that agriculture could not be treated as one composite unit, he said policymakers should categorise the sector into four groups: farmers with large landholdings, those with smallholdings, small and marginal farmers, and agricultural workers, and come out with a proper plan to enable comprehensive development.

Mr. Chandrashekar said irrigation alone was not the only solution to the problems faced by the agricultural sector. Terming it a misconception, he said even if steps were taken to utilise the entire water resources in the State, it would only meet the requirement of only around 60 lakh hectares of land in the State, leaving a major area dependent upon rain.

He said that in the last ten Five Year Plans, the State had spent Rs. 28,000 crore on agriculture, but a very meagre amount had been earmarked for development of dry land. Underlining the need to remove the imbalance between irrigated and dry land, Mr. Chandrashekar sought greater focus on mixed farming practices and allied activities, which would help farmers sustain themselves economically.

Mr. Chandrashekar expressed concern over decline in the growth of agricultural production over the years and felt that high rates of interest on farm loans charged by moneylenders, fluctuation in the price of agricultural produce and improper marketing strategies were the main reasons.

Chairman of the South Indian Council of Chartered Accountants K.S. Madhavamurthy called upon the farmers to make use of the services of Chartered Accountants to get proper guidance while seeking loans.

Joint Director of Agriculture T.Y. Srinivas spoke on watershed development and Deputy Director of Horticulture Ramachandrappa spoke on issues concerning agriculture and allied activities.

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