The Hindu Business Line : AP urges ryots to press for more aid from banks

THE State Government has asked the farmers to step up pressure to prevail on the policy makers to increase the 18 per cent limit set by the Reserve Bank of India with regard to banks' support to the agriculture sector.

Addressing the fifth annual day fete of Federation of Farmers Associations (FFA-Andhra Pradesh) here on Wednesday, Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah, Minister for Major Irrigation, said the farming community should join hands to become a force to reckon. You should dictate terms to Governments," he said.

The Minister felt that dwindling support to the agricultural sector over the years had led to the poor state of affairs in the sector.

"Banks' support to the agricultural support got a boost after the nationalisation of banks by former Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi. But over the years, the support has been dwindling," he regretted.

This, according to him, contributed to increased burden on the farming community. "You need to join hands to bring pressure on the Government to regain the support," he told the farmers.

Expressing concern over diversion of funds collected through Market Cess and Rural Development Cess for non-agricultural purposes, he said this practice should be done away with immediately. "That money should be used for farmers and market inventions."

Taking a dig at the increased stress on computerisation at the expense of agricultural sector, Mr Laxmaiah observed that if one were to focus on computerisation in the country the password should be `farmers'.

Mr P. Chengal Reddy, Honorary Chairman of FFA (AP), asked the farmers to be organised in order to get things done. "The organised sector is enjoying all the benefits. But you hardly got anything all these years," he told the farmers.

He wondered why Governments took up new irrigation projects without completing the projects started decades ago. "Why not the Government seek the help of farmers in taking up new projects," he asked.

Dr M. Sitarama Swamy, President of FFA, said the association tied up with CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) to start a joint venture called Indian Farmers and Industry Alliance (IFIA). The JV would look into opportunities for mutual benefit.

Leaders of several farmers' organisations related the problems in their respective regions.

The FFA (AP) launched a bilingual (English and Telugu) monthly magazine called Kisan to mark the annual day.

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