CIFA DEMANDS

• All recommendations made by National Farmers Commission (NFC) on headed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan be implemented immediately.

• Fixing of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all Agricultural Commodities based on production costs actually incurred by farmers and add Minimum 50% representing risk factors, and managerial remuneration(C2+Minimum 50%).

• Making CACP as autonomous body .Deficiencies in the methodology adopted in collecting production costs be rectified by inducting and involving farmers organizations and farmers into the system through.

• All Agriculturists in the Country be covered  by  the Banks located in the area, provide timely and adequate credit at 4% interest based on scales of finance fixed for each crop and each purpose for short, medium and long term purposes without insisting on collateral security. Direct farm loans should be 18% of total advances, indirect loans not to be included for this pupose.Loans be provided to farmers’ to meet financial needs of marriages, health, consumption and other social purposes.

• All outstanding Agricultural loans, Institutional and Private be waived under one time relief scheme.

• Innovative and Modern Agriculture implements from sowing to harvesting be invented and provided at subsidized prices to Farmers, Co-operatives, Panchayat’s and other N.G.Os to make available on custom hire.

• Rs.1 lakh crores for completing ongoing  by Government of India irrigation projects be provided.

• Sufficient quality electricity free of charge be provided along with subsidy component on pump sets and action plan evolved for commissioning Small Power Projects.

• Massive programme be taken up for recharging underground water through percolation tanks.

• Crop and animal insurance schemes be devised to cover all risks and quick settlement of claims. Premium be paid by Government by collecting Farmers Welfare Cess as in the case of Education Cess.

• Market yards be strengthened by conducting Elections with stakeholders and transparent procedures introduced with storage and pledge loan facilities to contain distress sale by farmers.

• All Levy Schemes pertaining to procurement of Agricultural Commodities be scrapped and Government purchase commodities required for BPL families under open market.

• Dry land / Rainfed farmers be supplied life saving water when long dry spells are experienced, through tanks and other means for saving crops.

• Organic Farming be encouraged by extending all incentives provided to Chemical Fertilizers.

• Agriculture to be included in concurrent list and separate Union Budget for Agriculture be presented in Parliament.

• All restrictions on export of Agricultural Commodities be lifted and export allowed free of bans and impositions.

• To generate more employment reservation of products manufactured by Cottage Industries and Micro small enterprises be introduced.
 

   *** For further details contact :

Mr. P. Chengal Reddy
Secretary General,
Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA)
Hyderabad office Phone : 040- 23319643
New Delhi office Phone : 011- 24542111.
E-mail: cifa_delhi@yahoo.com