Give us the Right to Choose: Farmers
organizations from five states in Delhi to press for their demand for quicker
implementation of relevant new & novel technologies
December
14, 2012:
Pro-technology progressive farmers and farmer leaders from Andhra Pradesh,
Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu collectively stated on Friday said
that they strongly urged the government
to usher new and novel agricultural technologies
already proven safe and profitable for
ensuring rejuvenation of Indian agriculture. In a rare show of unity these
farmers, represented by over six different farmers’ organizations, said they
should be given the right to choose what is good and bad for them. They have all
been camping in Delhi meeting various Members of Parliament and Ministers
trying to draw their attention to the compelling need for integration of
technology in agriculture given the immense challenges being faced by them.
Farmers
stressed on the need for introduction of genetically improved varieties of
major crops like rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds and few major vegetables. “We
have been all over Delhi meeting various MPs and ministers and asking them to
understand our concerns and anxiety,” said….Jaipal Reddy….
Farmers
drawn from organizations including Prataprudra Farmers Federation, Warangal
(AP), Nagarjuna Rythu Samakhya (AP), Progressive Pro-technology Farmers
Federation, Chennai (TN), Naujawan Kisan Club (Punjab), Kisan Club, Fatehabad
(Haryana), Shetkari Sangathan (Maharashtra) informed that
they had come to Delhi to plead with the
parliamentarians and the government for making agriculture profitable and
sustainable. They submitted petitions to MPs and Ministers to take urgent initiative
and implement pro-farmer and pro-technology policies including deployment of biotechnology products in agriculture. GM
crops, they said, will lead to rural prosperity stimulating greater economic
growth in the country and lesser migration to the cities thereby making
inclusive growth a reality. Even city dwellers will benefit as food will be
produced with much less pesticide application.
Farmers
collectively said that those who do not have the least knowledge of farming
consider agriculture policy as their prerogative. “They must understand farming
is the expertise of those who till the land to feed millions. Farmers should be
given a right choose what is in their interest including right to choose new
technology. Scientific community has many times reiterated that GM crops are
safe and the only way to meet future challenges,” said….
S Jaipal Reddy from Pratap Rudra
Farmers Federation said, “Agricultural
community in Andhra has immensely benefitted from Bt cotton. Now we hope that
the government will soon allow commercialization of other important GM food
crops and extend the benefits of technology to
farmers growing other crops as well.” He was supported by a farmer
leader from neighboring Tamil Nadu. D Valter, President, Progressive
Pro-technology Farmers Federation added, “Uncertainty
over availability of river water for irrigation casts a perpetual shadow
on
fate of our crops. Introduction of genetically modified rice – a crop
that maximizes yield per unit water supply, for instance, will ensure
greater
profitability and less tension”
There were those who insisted empirical evidences suggest GM
crops cause no harm to human or animal health. Saying this, Narendra Singh of
Naujawan Kisan Club added, “Out of our experience from Bt
cotton, we are confident that biotechnology holds the key to curb the drudgery in
agriculture in Punjab. We are eagerly waiting for genetically modified maize
that shall help improve dismal agricultural scenario where our land holdings
are shrinking lowering out individual land productivity.”
Hemant N Ingale, Shetkari
Sangathan said, “Genetically improved varieties have minimal dependence on
fertilizers and pesticides. This reduces the input cost which in turn leads to
increase in profitability for the farmers. GM crops will also help cut the cost
of labour needed for weeding, which involves a big chunk of farming costs.”
Trilokchand Saini, Kisan Club,
Fatehabad said, “Amid fears of crop failure due to changes in weather patterns
GM crops will be a huge relief to the farmers of Haryana who have otherwise
been bestowed with very fertile land. GM crops offer hope to curb many
challenges posed by nature and make agriculture more productive and
profitable.”
For details, please contact:
S Jaipal Reddy
President , Pratap Rudra Farmers Federation
Warangla(AP)
Ph 91 9440424999
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