The Hindu Business Line : Global farmers' seminar to discuss challenges

THE Federation of Farmers Associations (FFA) is organising a two-day seminar on `Developing Indian Farmers Competitiveness to Face Global Challenges - Building Consensus on Policies and Strategies' from Tuesday.

The FFA Vice-President and Co-ordinator of the seminar, Mr A. Bhavani Prasad, told newspersons on Monday that a charter of issues would be declared at the end of the symposium for the consideration of political parties as well as the Central and State Governments.

On the inaugural day, a videoconference with the farmers of Bihar, Maharashtra, Haryana, Orissa and Assam would be held to ascertain their views.

Mr Prasad said by making India a member of the WTO, the Union Government had made our farmers to compete in the international market without providing them the necessary assistance to meet the emerging challenges.

"In this context, it is necessary to focus on policy issues to be changed and the support to be extended to the farmers for improving their competitiveness to face global challenges."

Apart from the representatives of farmers, agricultural economists, scientists and officials of the Multi Commodity Exchange Board are expected to take part in the seminar.