LIVE & LET LIVE. SAVE FARMERS FROM MARKET FORCES AND BUILD STRONG, HUNGER FREE NATION.

LIVE & LET LIVE. SAVE FARMERS FROM MARKET FORCES AND BUILD STRONG, HUNGER FREE NATION.

I just returned from Sunday shopping. Tomatoes Rs. 5 to 7/kg Onion Rs. 10 to 12/kg, Green chillies Rs. 15 to 20/kg, sweet corn Rs. 2 to 4/PC ( in USA $ 2 to 3/PC) in retail, imagine the farmers realization.

Redgram slipping from 15000 to 6500, black gram from 12000 to 7000, green gram from 8000 to 4000 / qtl during off season with news of 60% excess sowing, imagine the flight of pulses in coming season. Going around the world and signing agreements to import pulses is not the solution. Take our own farmers into confidence and support them with cost plus plus realizations. India has potential and hard working farmers who can produce and feed the nation.

When maize prices gone up from 1350 to 1700/qtl, there was big hue and cry from poultry industry and GOI immediately gave permission to import 5 lakh MT with zero tariff. That did not take up for obvious reasons, but the purpose of poultry industry is achieved through market sentiments keeping the prices low.

Who will lobby for farmers and ensure that they live with pride and dignity, so that at least few of our younger generation with quality education come into farm sector and bring in value additions.

Regards,

BG Reddy - grbonthu@gmail.com