Hyderabad: The Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA) in a representation to the Prime Minister Narendra modi on Saturday brought to his notice the hardships faced by farmers during the ongoing 21 day National lock down imposed in response to COVID – 19 pandemic.
While commending the decision the CIFA also wanted him to ensure that the food supplies are maintained and the population does not become vulnerable to the risk of secondary infections due to malnutrition on account of short supply of food. ” Relief provided to farmers from the lock down is extremely critical and necessary,” the CIFA wrote.
Bojja Dasarath Rami Reddy, Secretary General CIFA said that several farmers from across the country have contacted the organization and enlisted several problems they have been facing due to the lockdown. Farmers are facing labour shortage on account of villages being barricaded; there is non-availability of pesticides and fertilizers; lack of policy and procedure on procurement of perishable agriculture produce and other farm produce; harassment by local law enforcement personnel; and there is a need of moratorium on loan repayments and interest waiver on crop loans.
The CIFA suggested immediate removal of all village barricades, reopen the fertilizer and pesticide shops that are being closed by the local law enforcement officers, and to address the issue of marketing of perishable goods. ” While some state governments like Telangana have already announced that the produce will be purchased from the villages directly, a comprehensive policy is required to be framed and a system put in place so that the crops do not get damaged waiting for the arrival of the government agencies,” CIFA said.
The Consortium says that the farmers have been facing a lot of harassment from the local law enforcement personal while transporting labour from the neighbouring villages. In light of the pandemic, the government should declare a moratorium on the loans disbursed to the farm sector for one crop season similar to the moratorium declared on working capital loans taken by companies. It is further requested that the government provide interest free loans for the next cropping season in order to facilitate easy access to capital and prevent loan sharks from taking undue advantage of the farmers.
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