Farmers Movement Archive

BKU demands Rs 1.5 lakh crore package, procurement points at village level

The Bhartiya Kisan Union, which observed the International Day of Peasants’ Struggle on April 17, has demanded a Rs 1.5 lakh crore (5% of GDP) package for farmers, procurement points for agriproducts at village level and MSP for perishables like vegetables for helping the beleaguered farm and rural sector during the COVID-19 crisis Quarantine and the historical neglect of peasant agriculture can have serious consequences that can aggravate the problem of hunger worldwide, the farmers' body also warned the government, demanding immediate action.BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said farmers producing vegetables, fruits and flowers should be assisted by procuring them at the village at a minimum support price.Food sovereignty is vital to feed the population healthily and sustainably. Local peasant markets and fairs must open again urgently to supply cities and prevent hunger, he said." There should be no import dependence of Agri goods and incentives should be given to Indian farmers to grow ourselves. Dairy farmers should also be supported by procurement of milk from their village by the dairy cooperative," added Tikait.  BKU leaders said farmers have suffered heavy loss due to heavy hailstorm and rains and the government should exempt electricity and water charges and interest on bank loans for a year and make reinvestment in public policies for health, education, labour and rural areas.Accusing the government of not announcing any relief measures for farmers during the pandemic, they said the government must ensure farmers and labourers access to healthy, culturally appropriate food and prevent shortages. "It must act now to end the monopoly of transnational agribusiness over essential commodities. "In this fight against hunger, there is an urgent need to invest in peasant agriculture and support local peasant markets, while complying with the necessary health measures. "Now is the time to uphold the food sovereignty of our communities and to guarantee the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas. It is now essential to promote Public Policies that benefit the majority of the population, that prioritise care for the most vulnerable sectors, such as rural workers, women, migrants and the working class of the cities", said BKU leaders.  "This crisis shows us once again the need to enact a profound change in the capitalist system. It is a system that is untenable and incompatible with nature and life. It is time to introduce structural transformations in the agri-food systems, and not just push for more aid programs."Our task as farmers is to feed the people, and we want to continue doing so. We understand that the production of healthy food cannot cease and that it is the first line of defence against COVID-19. However, this requires providing safe and dignified living conditions for peasants, during and after the crisis", said the BKU.States must ensure the public procurement of food produced by small-scale farmers. We must adopt principles of agroecology and feed our communities nutritious, healthy food to improve our immunity, something that supermarkets and fast food chains cannot do, it added.  In the context of the crisis, it is urgent to ensure access to free testing and full treatment, in urban and rural areas, free of discrimination, with a firm commitment in defence of life. We denounce all attempts to take advantage of this crisis to privatise services or to generate a profit.It is essential to guarantee Peasant Rights, as stated in the UN Declaration adopted in 2018. This crisis is also an opportunity to spread seeds of change. We must prepare the land for a different model of society and agri-food systems, according to the BKU.

The Tribune

2020-04-18

New Delhi