‘Centre must bring national marketing policy’

Hyderabad: Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA) chief advisor and honorary chairman of Federation of Farmers Associations (FFA) P Chengal Reddy emphasised the need for a holistic national policy for marketing agriculture produce to double farmers’ income across the country. He asserted that the union government fulfill its responsibilities by providing marketing facilities for crops […]

Hyderabad: Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA) chief advisor and honorary chairman of Federation of Farmers Associations (FFA) P Chengal Reddy emphasised the need for a holistic national policy for marketing agriculture produce to double farmers’ income across the country. He asserted that the union government fulfill its responsibilities by providing marketing facilities for crops produced in the country as the crop price was linked to international market demands, exports and imports which are under the control of the Centre.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Chengal Reddy pointed out that States do not have access to international markets and were not authorised to take policy decisions in this regard as per the Constitution. The States have limited role and scope in crop marketing. “Hence, it is the Centre’s responsibility to ensure crop produce of international quality and thus, ensure remunerative prices to farmers cultivating a specific crop, based on their quality,” he said.

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Over the past 30 years, there have been no major reforms at the national level notwithstanding the political parties in power. But countries like China, South Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil and Argentina, made huge progress by adopting new technologies and reforms eventually surpassing India, the agricultural activist stated. “Despite have necessary infrastructure, about 95 per cent farmers in the country do not have direct access to technical support on issues pertaining to weather forecast, pests and pest control, water management, and excess usage of fertilisers among other aspects of agriculture,” he said.

On the Centre’s failure to procure paddy from Telangana, Chengal Reddy stated that the union government was fully aware of the irrigation projects being constructed in the State and the extent of area that would be cultivated over the next few years. However, the union government failed to provide necessary infrastructure to store, consume and export the paddy abroad. “Paddy is not the lone case. We have witnessed similar phenomenon with regards to cotton, chilli and turmeric among others over the last 8-10 years. The Centre must have had learnt the lessons and made prior arrangements to procure or even export the excess paddy,” he said.

Further, he suggested that the Centre must bring reforms and decentralise marketing, storage, export and import policies enabling the State governments to handle crop marketing. He suggested that farmers, private businessmen or the State governments should be allowed to sign 5-10 years of agreement with foreign companies or governments which would improve income to farmers.

He wanted the State government to create alternate agricultural extension systems by hiring retired agricultural officers, scientists, farmers and others to improve marketing facilities. “Private players, experts and farmers must be brought together to improve farm income. The Telangana State Planning Board and the Agricultural Advisory Board should establish focused groups for addressing challenges in cultivation of each crop,” he suggested. He also emphasised the need for a better water management system.

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