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Mohan Padmanabhan

Kolkata , April 6

A NATIONALLY constructed Indian farmers' alliance comprising representative bodies covering virtually all agricultural commodities with economic value is expected to become a reality by the end of the month.

The apex organisation, which is being conceived on the lines of the CII and to be headquartered in Delhi, will be called the Confederation of Indian Farmers' Association (CIFA), and is expected to carry the voice of the entire farming community of the country in Government negotiations for ensuring a fair deal for the Indian farmer.

Mr P. Chengal Reddy, Honorary Chairman of Federation of Farmers' Associations, Andhra Pradesh and likely to take charge as Secretary-General of CIFA, told Business Line that all details had been finalised and formation of CIFA would be announced soon.

The participating bodies would range from sugarcane, oilseeds, apple growers to tobacco, aqua farming and even planters in South India.

CIFA would aspire for greater farm-industry interaction to reap higher benefits for the marginalised farmer.

On the major issues confronting agriculture today, which CIFA proposes to take up with the Government in a phased manner, Mr Reddy said agriculture should be included in the Concurrent List of the Constitution as it would enable speedier resources allocation and more integrated planning for the development of Indian agriculture.

He also sought 100 per cent seed replacement (as a subsidy) for resource-poor farmers.

"Owing to non-usage of quality hybrid seeds, productivity - especially among small and marginal farmers - is now seriously hampered," he said.

Citing the stagnating agri production, quality deficiencies, and States' limitations in terms of resources allocation, planning and marketing of farm produce, he suggested that a separate Union Budget for Agriculture be presented by the Union Minister for Agriculture annually.

Asked how this would benefit the farm sector, he said it could bring about the much-needed synergy through the co-ordinated efforts of all Ministries, enabling comprehensive inter-Ministerial planning for speedy decision-making.

Mr Reddy said in the present era of globalisation of agriculture and its attendant challenges, there was an urgent need to re-evaluate the functioning of bodies like APEDA, Cotton Advisory Board, etc., and fully democratise their functioning, involving all stakeholders in the management process.

He added that commodity boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce were unable to develop global competitiveness, especially in products like tea, coffee, tobacco, and spices.

"The management of these boards may be handed over to elected farmers' bodies and other stakeholder committees."

According to him, the Government should allocate a portion of the excise collected as a special distress fund to each commodity board, in order to protect farmers from severe price fluctuations, crop failure and other unforeseen events.

"Reduction of taxes and doing away with outdated norms governing plantation crops will help develop global competitiveness."

He also sought specialised extension services for high-value exportable plantation crops, horticulture, aquaculture, etc.

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