Farmers' group supports FDI in retail.

PUNE: A national-level consortium of farmers has said the farming community is in favour of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail and export of vegetables, fruits and foodgrains. Besides they said that farmers should be treated as entrepreneurs.

P Chengal Reddy, secretary general of the Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations, on Monday said that in the upcoming convention at Hyderabad, all farmers' organizations in the country would extend support to FDI and use of genetically modified seeds for increasing foodgrain production.

Reddy told TOI, "So far, farmers have been treated as beggars. We want assured supply of electricity, water, good seed and technology to produce a dynamic market where there are no controls on prices of agricultural commodities.

A lot of knowledge-based investment is taking place in many sectors but it is very slow and low in the agriculture sector. Farmers want modern technology in their hands with sufficient income to afford it."

Reddy said genetically modified crops present another opportunity for Indian farmers to take a leap in foodgrain and cash crop production and dominate the trade in international market. The consortium is in support of research in GM crops.

 Reddy suggested that more and more varieties should be introduced for the benefit of farmers. If GM crops are saving farmers' expenses on pesticides, it should be encouraged, he said.

Rice production in India is increasing and in coming years we can export it in large quantity, he said.

If the Union government continues to intervene in this business, it will ensure loss of farmers and lack of confidence about our country in the international trade, Reddy said.

Modern technology is required to cut losses in foodgrain during handling and transport, Reddy said.

"Today, one third of the total production of foodgrain or vegetables goes waste because our farmers do not have training for smart handling of the produce. Once such losses are controlled, the gap of demand and supply will narrow and major ups and downs in prices can be controlled," he said.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com