The absence of a comprehensive agricultural policy and measures to prevent suicides of farmers are the major reasons for the prevailing crisis in the farming sector, Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) leader G.C. Bayya Reddy has said.
He was addressing a seminar on ‘Crisis in Agriculture and Farmers Suicides’ at the Gandhi Bhavan here on Tuesday. ‘Janapara Kriya Vedike’ had organised the programme.
Mr. Reddy has suggested the Governments to provide at least 10 acres of land to each family of the farmers to stop farmer suicides.
Pro-farmer measures such as providing seeds, fertilizers, electricity, crop loans and irrigation facilities would uplift the distressed farming community, he opined.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader M. Krishnamurthy has underlined the need for promoting scientific farming among the farming community as, according to him, that could effectively prevent suicides of farmers.
The Governments ruled, both at State and Centre, have failed to provide scientific prices for farm produce. And, the anti-farmer policies have been forcing farmers to end their lives, he said.
KPRS leader T. Yeshwanth and a few others accused the Governments of ruining the lives and livelihoods of farmers by acquiring lands in the name of development.
C.K. Basavaraju of Mysore University, writer H.L. Keshava Murthy, G.T. Veerappa, M.B. Naganna Gowda, Bhumi Gowda, H.D. Jayaram and others were present.
