Farmers raise key issues at Rural Voice event

A day-long discussion on focus of Union Budget 2023-24 on agriculture saw farmers voicing concern over the fate of crops in view of environmental issues and the dwindling support of the government which was making their efforts less lucrative.

The 'Budget Charcha' event was organised by RuralVoice, a highly popular digital platform for exchanging farmers' issues, and Socratus, a growing start-up, at the India International Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday. The lively discussions were mostly on themes like rural economy, agriculture digitalisation and natural farming.

At the outset, Dr Mahi Pal, a former officer of the Indian Economic Service, dwelt upon key aspects of the Budget for agriculture and rural India. In a frank talk, Dr Mahi Pal, who is presently President of Karpa Foundation, cited data to say that funds were being slashed or diverted from key areas.

He asked farmers to raise their voice against this otherwise "a day will come when the ministry of rural development or Panchayati Raj will fold up or become a non-entity.

Anima Minz, a woman agriculturalist from Odisha, felt that there was a need to improve marketing and processing of coarse grains, especially millets which the government was promoting as 'Shree Anna'. The woman, a tribal, acknowledged that cultivation of coarse grains was getting them better income.

Editor Rural Voice, Harvir Singh, drew attention of the participants to subsidy cuts on fertiliser and less support for Fasal Bima Yojana, the only insurance scheme for farmers against the vagaries of nature.

At present, the premium has increased and some states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have opted out of the scheme saying they were preparing their own scheme.

Harvir Singh suggested adequate support from the government, like payment of the entire premium by the government.

On fertiliser subsidies, he said the rate has dropped in the international market as a result of which the government was saving foreign exchange.

Shyam Singh Mann, a farmer from Haryana sought good quality fertiliser, claiming that NFL products were not up to the mark.

"The government is not sincere about promoting organic cultivation," rued another farmer, demanding that more encouragement should be given for organic farming.

One of them wondered as to why genetically modified seeds were being promoted.

Twarko Devi, an apple grower from Himachal Pradesh, complained that cultivation of peas was not fetching enough profits.

Many participants referred to the importance of organic fertilisers which, they said, could be made from cow dung, jaggery and besan, while cow urine, been leaf and curd could be used for making organic fertiliser.

There was a thorough discussion on budgetary provisions for farming, especially horticulture, dairying and pisciculture.

The participants also highlighted the role of FPOs in boosting the agriculture sector.