WTO's role in price crash being suppressed: Nanjundaswamy

DH News Service
BANGALORE, Oct 2

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha President Prof M D Nanjundaswamy today alleged that efforts were being made to suppress the fact that WTO is responsible for the crash in prices of agricultural produce and other problems of farmers by citing some other false reasons like "glut in production" as responsible for this.

Addressing a huge gathering of farmers at the global farmers' convention against WTO at the National College grounds here, -- in which thousands of farmers from different parts of the state, besides America, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia took part, -- he cited an example of coconut prices. He recalled that agriculture minister had observed that increase in the coconut farm size which has led to increase in coconut production was the responsible for price-crash. But pointing out that nearly 40 per cent of the trees had been affected by the mite menace, which has drastically reduced the production, he argued that the prices should have increased going by the logic of agriculture minister.

But even at this crucial period when the farmers are facing problems, the government had started cutting farm subsidies at the behest of WTO and World Bank, he alleged. This had reduced the purchasing power of farmers, he said and took exception to recovery of farm loans and power bill dues at this situation.

Regarding agricultural power tariff, he observed that there were disparities in the irrigation policies towards farmers of dry land as well as command areas. While the government was investing huge sums of money for irrigating the land of farmers in command areas, those in dry-land had to make huge investments out of their own on sinking borewells. Besides, they have to pay huge power tariff, he said and demanded that uniform policy of irrigation should be implemented.

Referring to the suicides by farmers, he disapproved such a trend. Suicide is not a solution to any problem, he said and called upon farmers to stage a united struggle to fight the probelms instead of resorting to suicides. He also called upon farmers to provide competition to soft drink companies by launching neera sales.

American poor people's campaign representative Jerry assured that poor people of US are with Indian farmers in their struggle. Jerry alleged that American media was suppressing the fact that the country was not benefitting from seed manufacturing companies like Monsanto. Mr Sharat Fernando, representative of Sri Lanka farmers' campaign, called upon farmers to launch a struggle against the WTO in a non-violent way, which is shown by Mahatma Gandhi. Bharatiya Kissan Federation president Mahendra Singh Tikayat also spoke.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct03/s13.htm
KRRS
Karnataka Rajya Ryota Sangha
[Karnataka State Farmer's Association]
Prof.Nanjundaswamy
President
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