Chandigarh: The agriculturist claimed that the severity of the crisis could be gauged from the spate of increasing farmer suicides, farmer debt and minimum support price.
Agriculturalist Devinder Sharma said that Indian agriculture was facing crisis, primarily of sustainability and economic viability, during a press conference held at the Kisan Bhawan in Sector 35 Tuesday.
Sharma claimed that the severity of the crisis could be gauged from the spate of increasing farmer suicides, farmer debt and minimum support price.
“According to an Arjun Sengupta Committee report, nearly 3 lakh farmers have committed suicide in the last 15 years. About 60 per cent farmers are dependent on National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to survive, and an estimated 56 per cent farmers go to bed hungry. Another 78 per cent want to quit agriculture if given a choice.” Sharma said.
Sharma said the government should be looking at adopting the milk model developed during the 1960s to provide a viable marketing network for fruits and vegetables.
Sharma is on a visit to the city for a three-day seminar starting on Wednesday, where 70 people from various farmer organisations across the country will hold discussions on farmer-related issues.
He said a declaration would be formulated during the meet, and sent to the World Trade Organisation which is contemplating “removal of special and preferential treatment to developing countries” that could have adverse effects on farmers in India.