Issues

Present Position

Demand by CIFA

a)    Implementation of recommendations of National Commission on Farmers
(Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Report).

1) National Commission on farmers headed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan made specific recommendations for accelerated development of farm and non-farm sectors.
2) He has also recommended allocation of Funds for each development activity in the Budget.
3)   The GOI even after laps of 2 years failed to allocate funds and diluted recommendations by releasing a in-effective National Farmers Policy-2008.

1)  All recommendations made by National Commission on farmers headed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan be implemented immediately by allocating funds for each development activity in the Budget.

b)    Fixing MSP for various Agricultural Commodities.

1)  Recommendations of various Committees viz., Shri. L.K. Jha, Dr. Ashok Mitra, Dr. S.R. Sen, Prof. C.H. Hanumantha Rao and Prof. Alagh under costs of cultivation scheme have not been implemented while computing costs of cultivation at grass root level.
2)  No transparency and Farmers involvement in collection of data.
3)  Previous years data is considered for fixing current year MSP without taking into consideration the cost index.  
4) The methodology followed, regarding imputing family labour, rental value of land, interest on capital depreciation on fixed assets and agricultural machinery, cost of transportation, marketing charges and storage is not in conformity with recommendations of various Committees and working against the interests of farmers.
5) There is no relevance between the costs actually incurred by Farmers, the data obtained by field assistants, computed by Agricultural Universities, State Governments, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, analysed by Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices and finally fixed by GOI.
6)  The MSP fixed has no relevance with costs of cultivation actually incurred by Farmers and fixed by GOI.
7)  The MSP fixed by GOI is only Political Support Price (PSP) but not based on the data obtained from various sources.
8)  According to Govt. sources Rs.1 hike in diesel increases the cultivation cost by Rs.100 per hectare and diesel prices have risen 13 % since last year.
9)  MSP is being announced after the farmers commence   Kharif and Rabi sowing operations and farmers have no choice of crop selection.

1)  Recommendations of various Committees under Costs of Cultivation Scheme be implemented and all costs actually incurred by farmers taken into consideration while computing costs at grass root level.
2) CACP to be made an autonomous Institutions as suggested by above Committees.
3) The Whole system be reviewed, transparent procedures, methodology evolved and CACP strengthened by inducting more Farmers representatives including women by granting Statutory status.    
4)  MSP should be all costs actually incurred by Farmers by adding minimum 50% of it i.e. (C2+Minimum 50% of it) as recommended by National Commission on Farmers headed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.
5) MSP be increased proportionately whenever agricultural inputs prices are increased by taking into cost of index into consideration as being followed in the case of salaries of employees of various sectors.
6)  MSP be fixed and announced 6 months before Kharif and Rabi harvests reach markets as recommended by experts groups. 

c)  i)  Procurement
ii) Procurement of agriculture produce affected by cyclones, floods etc.

1)  When the Crops are affected by floods, the colour of the produce will be affected. 
2)  Government agencies i.e. FCI and Market Yards are reluctant to pay the MSP fixed to the concerned crop.
3)  The State Governments are approaching GOI of India for purchase of produce affected by floods.
4)  This procedure is time consuming and Farmers are resorting for distress sale of produce.
5) Neither the govt. of India nor the State Governments are coming to the rescue of affected farmers.

1) All Commodities included in the MSP must be procured by Government.
2)  Mandatory provisions be evolved, FCI/CCI etc., Acts and relevant Rules amended to purchase   produce affected by floods.
3) The state Governments should amend marketing committees, Acts and Rules facilitating purchase of produce affected by floods.

d) 100% Seed replacement through Production of certified by public and private organizations.

1)  Supply of certified Seed from public institutes and private companies account for about 8 percent. The remaining 92 percent requirement is met either by storing own seed or by farmer-to-farmer exchange. 
2) The International & National, Research Institutions and Commissions appointed for the welfare of farmers emphasized    the need of 100% replacement of seed for improving quality & quantity of yields. This item of work is required to be tackled on war-footing basis.
3)  State Governments have no sufficient resources to supply quality seed to farmers.

1) Production of certified Seed by public and private institutes be increased under PPPs Scheme by offering incentives and tax holidays to the Seed producers. 
2) A specific action plan be evolved for 100% seed replacement.
3)  Resources be provided by Government of India.
4)  Area specific and high yielding varieties be produced and distributed at affordable prices.
5) Seed banks be established to ensure availability of Seed at the time of natural calamities.
6) Farmers' organizations, NGOs and other private Seed producers be encouraged for Seed production with incentive packages.
7)  Seed Village Scheme be implemented.
8) Training be imparted to agricultural graduates, progressive farmers and seed societies for producing quality Seed.  

e) National Policy on Soil  Health

1)  Consequent on use of excessive chemical fertilizers and not following rotation of crops, the soils are badly degraded and needs immediate treatment to improve the quality and
quantity of yields. The International, National, research institutions and commissions appointed for the welfare of farmers emphasized the need of soil health.
2)  Budget allocations of Rs.75 crores made during 2008-09 for providing Mobile, soil testing laboratories is yet to be grounded.

1) National policy on soil health be evolved to rectify and restore soil fertility.

2)  Mobile soil testing laboratories be introduced and soil tests made at the fields in the presence of farmers.
3)  Soil health cards be provided to farmers.
4)  Quality micro nutrients be provided for balancing soil health.

f) Standardization of Organic Fertilizers & Extension of incentives on par with chemical fertilizers

1)  Vermi compost, Vermi wash, Organic manures and bio-fertilizers are manufactured by several small scale units without maintaining standards and quality.
2)  The farmers are put to crop losses due to adulteration and high prices.
3)  No specifications are fixed for manufacturing organic fertilizers.

1) Specifications and standards be fixed for organic fertilizers.
2)  The incentives extended to chemical fertilizers be extended to organic fertilizers also.

g) Research  & Development

1)  The research and development failed to produced short term duration and drought and flood resistant varieties.
2)  No plan of action for producing required quantities of breeder, foundation and certified seed.    

1)  Priority be assigned for development and supply of High Yielding and Hybrid Varieties.
2) Development of varieties having Disease                    Resistance/ Tolerance particularly against Rusts, Karnal Bunt and Blight be ensured.
3) Development of varieties suitable for Rainfed/ Limited Irrigation condition be ensured.
4) Research on Integrated Pest Management be   ensured.
5) Research on effective control measures for problematic   weed like Phalaris  be ensured.
6)  Development of storage structures and control of storage pests be ensured.
7)  Rodent control technologies be developed and implemented.
8) The research institutes should honour its primary responsibility and develop elite germplasm and release high yielding varieties regularly.

h)  Transfer of Technology

1)  Transfer of improved production technologies remain as most neglected component and consequently the benefit of improved varieties and production technology could not be harnessed.
2)  Dissemination of improved technologies from lab to land consumes long time and adoption by Farmers is not ensured.

1) Emphasis be given on a cropping system approach rather than a single crop development approach.
2)  Improved crop production technologies be propagated based on agro-climatic zones through demonstrations on Farmers fields and organizing training programmes for Farmers including women.
3) Quick dissemination of knowledge on improved technologies be ensured.
4) Aggressive transfer of production technologies be ensured through Frontline demonstrations and Block demonstrations involving SDA, KVKs, NGOs, SAUs and private sectors.
5)  Bottom up approach of technology development and dissemination by involving farmers should be ensured.
6)  ATMA concept of NATP project be extended to all the States and districts in the country.

i) Mechanization

1) Agriculture labour shortage is a major production constraint in completing sowing and harvesting operations in time.
2) Urban migration for better jobs and physical drudgery involved in culture practices driving away the workforce.
3) Traditional culture practices consume more man hours and also physical drudgery on the part of both labour and animals.

1) Innovative bullock and power drawn modern implements be invented and introduced for timely completion of sowing and harvesting operations.
2) The agricultural implements be provided with 75% subsidy without ceiling on subsidy amount.
3)  Agricultural implements be made available for customs service through village panchayats, co-operatives, self help groups.

j) Crop Insurance

1) The premium collected on crop insurance ranges from 2% to 7%.
2)  All risks are not covered.
3) Procedures adopted for indemnifying losses are against the farmers interest. 
4) In the case of automobile and industrial sector actual loss is indemnified and in the case of agriculture 5 years average / threshold yield is adopted.
5)  The village is not adopted as unit.
6) The insurance claims are not settled in time and farmers are required to pay extra interest on the loans borrowed.
7) In other countries the premium is subsidized and farmers interest protected while indemnifying losses by extending financial support.

1)  The premium be reduced, subsidizing by Govt. as in the case of other countries.
2) Cumbersome procedures adopted for indemnifying losses be reviewed and crop losses indemnified as in other sectors and countries.
3) The crop loss claims be settled before the due date fixed for payment of loan. Interest if any payable after due date consequent on delay in settling claims be borne by crop insurance company.
4) Remote sensing technology be applied for settling crop loss claims in a time bound programme.

k)  Agriculture Extension Services.

1)  Reach to fields – very poor
2)  No Professionalism,
3)  Multiple jobs to attend and therefore no focus on     agricultural extension per se.
4)  No Specialization – sometimes unsuitable for special crops grown in the area.
5)  No knowledge / skills on markets and their operations.
6)  No knowledge / exposure of private sector inputs /products.
7)  Mobility and communication not optimal.
8)   Most of the precious time lost in data collection, meetings and distribution of subsidies, inputs etc.,
9)  Most countries in the world have an effective extension delivery system either state operated, commodity group operated, Farmers’ organizations delivered or Private. Unfortunately we have not got any.
10) GOI is not taking interest in Extension.

1)  The agri- extension services be strengthened at Grampanchayat level [Local Govt.] by competent officer.
2)  GOI to take responsibility for extension services. 
3) The agri-extension officer / Veterinary officer / Horticulture Officer/ Sericulture officer/ Fisheries extension workers, as the case may be, be employed by Grampanchayat. 
4)  A Library be established with adequate Literature about the crops grown in the village besides agri allied activities.
5)  A Desktop computer be provided in each Library with agri-information Network to provide online market and crop related information. 
6) CDs and DVDs on relevant crop practices be made available in all libraries.
7) The financial support for maintaining the Libraries be provided by the GOI /State Govts., as in the case of USA and many other countries.
8)  The Extension officers of various disciplines be provided training with updated techniques by GOI and State Govts.

l) Marketing

i)

Market yards are managed by committees nominated by the Government with local politicians traders and middle-men affiliated to the party in power.

i)

Market yards be managed by farmers who grow crops and utilize the services of Market Yards.  The Committee be formed by election with stake holders

ii)

No proper accounting of arrivals and sales.

ii)

Innovative electronic equipment be introduced for accounting arrivals and sales.

iii)

Non functioning  electronic weighing machines

iii)

The arrivals in the market yards be weighed with electronic mechanics only.

iv)

Market yards’ labour domination results excess expenditure and waste of produce.

iv)

Labour domination be checked.  Option be provided to farmer to handle with his produce.