Give us the Right to Choose: Farmers organizations from five states in Delhi to press for their demand for quicker implementation of relevant new & novel technologies

December 14, 2012: Pro-technology progressive farmers and farmer leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu collectively stated on Friday said that  they strongly urged the government to usher new and novel agricultural  technologies already proven safe and profitable  for ensuring rejuvenation of Indian agriculture. In a rare show of unity these farmers, represented by over six different farmers’ organizations, said they should be given the right to choose what is good and bad for them. They have all been camping in Delhi meeting various Members of Parliament and Ministers trying to draw their attention to the compelling need for integration of technology in agriculture given the immense challenges being faced by them.

Farmers stressed on the need for introduction of genetically improved varieties of major crops like rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds and few major vegetables. “We have been all over Delhi meeting various MPs and ministers and asking them to understand our concerns and anxiety,” said….Jaipal Reddy….

Farmers drawn from organizations including Prataprudra Farmers Federation, Warangal (AP), Nagarjuna Rythu Samakhya (AP), Progressive Pro-technology Farmers Federation, Chennai (TN), Naujawan Kisan Club (Punjab), Kisan Club, Fatehabad (Haryana), Shetkari Sangathan (Maharashtra) informed that they had come to Delhi  to plead with the parliamentarians and the government for making agriculture profitable and sustainable. They  submitted  petitions to MPs and Ministers to take urgent initiative and implement pro-farmer and pro-technology  policies including deployment of  biotechnology products in agriculture. GM crops, they said, will lead to rural prosperity stimulating greater economic growth in the country and lesser migration to the cities thereby making inclusive growth a reality. Even city dwellers will benefit as food will be produced with much less pesticide application.

Farmers collectively said that those who do not have the least knowledge of farming consider agriculture policy as their prerogative. “They must understand farming is the expertise of those who till the land to feed millions. Farmers should be given a right choose what is in their interest including right to choose new technology. Scientific community has many times reiterated that GM crops are safe and the only way to meet future challenges,” said….

S Jaipal Reddy from Pratap Rudra Farmers Federation said, “Agricultural community in Andhra has immensely benefitted from Bt cotton. Now we hope that the government will soon allow commercialization of other important GM food crops and extend the benefits of technology to  farmers growing other crops as well.” He was supported by a farmer leader from neighboring Tamil Nadu. D Valter, President, Progressive Pro-technology Farmers Federation added, “Uncertainty over availability of river water for irrigation casts a perpetual shadow on fate of our crops. Introduction of genetically modified rice – a crop that  maximizes yield per unit  water supply, for instance, will ensure greater profitability and less tension”

There were those who insisted empirical evidences suggest GM crops cause no harm to human or animal health. Saying this, Narendra Singh of Naujawan Kisan Club added, “Out of our experience from Bt cotton, we are confident that biotechnology holds the key to curb the drudgery in agriculture in Punjab. We are eagerly waiting for genetically modified maize that shall help improve dismal agricultural scenario where our land holdings are shrinking lowering out individual land productivity.”

Hemant N Ingale, Shetkari Sangathan said, “Genetically improved varieties have minimal dependence on fertilizers and pesticides. This reduces the input cost which in turn leads to increase in profitability for the farmers. GM crops will also help cut the cost of labour needed for weeding, which involves a big chunk of farming costs.”

Trilokchand Saini, Kisan Club, Fatehabad said, “Amid fears of crop failure due to changes in weather patterns GM crops will be a huge relief to the farmers of Haryana who have otherwise been bestowed with very fertile land. GM crops offer hope to curb many challenges posed by nature and make agriculture more productive and profitable.”

For details, please contact:

S Jaipal Reddy

President , Pratap Rudra Farmers Federation

Warangla(AP)

Ph 91 9440424999