Latest news with #AllIndiaKisanSabha
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Corporate biggies calling the shots in farm sector: AIKS
Hyderabad: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) National General Secretary, Viju Krishnan, expressed concerns regarding the concentration of power in the agricultural sector, highlighting that four corporate companies now control 46 percent of it. He criticized the BJP government for enabling this trend. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Aribandi Foundation in the city on Thursday, Krishnan linked the liberalization policies introduced since 1990 to the alarming increase in farmer suicides, with four and a half lakh fatalities recorded over the past 30 years. He pointed out that the BJP government has failed to fulfill its promises of doubling farmers' incomes and has not implemented the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. Krishnan noted that there have been no reported farmer suicides in West Bengal and Gujarat, yet he criticized the reduction in funding for labor provisions. He opposed the installation of meters for agricultural motors, arguing that it would impose an additional financial burden on farmers. He argued that the support prices linked to reduced production costs primarily benefit corporations, resulting in significant losses for farmers, especially in the cotton sector. He recalled the farmers' protest against three controversial agricultural laws, which were ultimately repealed after many lives were lost. Furthermore, Krishnan criticized the new agricultural marketing policy, stating that it resembles the repealed laws and perpetuates inequalities caused by subsidies in other countries. He warned of potential losses arising from free trade agreements and called for the adaptation of farming practices to address climate change, advocating for dairy integration and multi-crop cultivation.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIKS opposes promotion of gene-edited crop varieties
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has written a letter to the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressing its strong opposition to the introduction, promotion, and commercialisation of gene-edited crop varieties, including rice, in agricultural systems. In the letter dated Friday, Andhra Pradesh Ryotu Sangham (AIKS) president G. Eswaraiah and general secretary K.V.V. Prasad said that they were deeply concerned that these developments were being pursued without sufficient consultation with farmers, independent scientific assessment, or transparent public debate. The entry of gene-edited seeds threatens to create new forms of dependency for farmers while offering no proven long-term benefits. In the past, the AIKS expressed its concerns about Bt cotton and Bt Brinjal. Even though Bt cotton was effective for a few years, later it failed in controlling pests. Lakhs of farmers sustained huge losses. As Seed Bill 2004 was not passed, in the absence of a proper crop insurance scheme, farmers were not compensated resulting in suicidal deaths. ''Enact strict liability laws to hold seed and biotech companies accountable for economic and environmental harm caused by their products. Our bitter experience with Bt cotton should not be forgotten. Farmers must not be turned into passive consumers of corporate-controlled technologies. True agricultural development lies in empowering farmers through self-reliance. We hope the Ministry will heed this call and take steps to protect the rights, livelihoods, and dignity of India's farmers,' they added.
The Wire
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
All India Kisan Sabha Accuses Union Govt of ‘Betrayal', Says New MSPs Exaggerated, Fall Short of Promise
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government All India Kisan Sabha Accuses Union Govt of 'Betrayal', Says New MSPs Exaggerated, Fall Short of Promise The Wire Staff 8 minutes ago The AIKS alleged that the MSPs fall far short of the promised C2+50% (comprehensive cost plus 50% profit) formula. Representative image of farmers. Photo: Rajarshi Mitra/Flickr (CC BY 2.0 DEED) Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Thursday (May 29) launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union Government, accusing it of 'yet another betrayal' of farmers with the newly announced minimum support prices (MSP) for the kharif season 2025-26. The influential farmers' body alleges the MSPs fall far short of the promised C2+50% (comprehensive cost plus 50% profit) formula and that the government has indulged in 'a jugglery of numbers and distorted data to wilfully mislead the public.' In a detailed press release, AIKS contended that the government's claims of a major boost to farmers, with an approved MSP package reportedly worth Rs 2.07 lakh crore, are 'far removed from the truth.' The organisation reiterated the demand based on the 2006 Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Commission report, which recommended that farmers be paid a remunerative price at least 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation (C2). AIKS stated that 'even after 19 years, they remain hollow promises.' The press release highlighted significant discrepancies for key crops. For paddy, the most important kharif crop, the MSP was increased by a mere Rs. 69 per quintal to Rs. 2,369. However, AIKS, citing CACP (Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices) projections, stated the C2+50% price for paddy should be Rs. 3,135 per quintal, resulting in a loss of Rs. 766 per quintal for the farmer. The organisation also pointed out that state-level CACP cost projections for paddy in states like Punjab (Rs. 2,787), Telangana (Rs. 3,673), and Maharashtra (Rs. 4,159) are substantially higher, with these states having recommended much higher MSPs. AIKS further claimed that even the government's exaggerated MSP increases for crops like nigerseed (Rs. 820), ragi (Rs. 596), cotton (Rs. 589), and sesamum (Rs. 579) per quintal fall significantly short. For instance, the MSP for nigerseed is fixed at Rs. 9,537 per quintal, while the C2+50% price should be Rs. 12,037, leading to a potential loss of Rs. 2,500 per quintal. Similarly, losses per quintal were calculated for ragi (Rs. 1,078), cotton (Rs. 2,365), and sesamum (Rs. 3,102), among others detailed in a comparison table provided by AIKS. A comparison table provided by AIKS, depicting what the organisation claims to be the government's exaggerated MSP. Photo: AIKS The farmers' body also raised concerns about the practical benefits of MSP, stating, 'MSP announced remains mostly on paper since there is no assured procurement.' It cited 2021-22 data showing the average price received by paddy farmers was 36% lower than the MSP@A2+FL, and Tur/Arhar farmers in Telangana received 11% less than the MSP. AIKS points to low procurement rates Furthermore, AIKS pointed to low procurement rates, with only 17.3% of paddy farmers nationally benefiting from MSP procurement in 2023-24. Procurement was described as 'very meagre' in states like Uttar Pradesh (5.8%), Bihar (4.1%), and Assam (below 5%). For other crops, only 0.23% of Tur/Arhar, 0.72% of Groundnut, and 9.3% of Cotton production were reportedly procured. Long-term data, according to AIKS, shows a deceleration in the growth of real MSP for almost all crops. Real MSP for paddy grew at 1.17% per annum between 2004-05 and 2013-14 but declined to 0.53% per annum between 2014-15 and 2025-26. Nine out of sixteen crops studied reportedly showed a sharp slowdown, with crops like paddy, maize, tur/arhar, urad, and groundnut seeing growth rates below 1% per annum in the last decade. The AIKS concluded by warning the BJP-led Union government 'to desist from data manipulation and refrain from misleading the public.' The organisation called upon all its units 'to expose the farcical claims' and announced its intention to 'unite with farmers' organisations to launch a fierce movement demanding fair price for crops.' Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Lone NC MP in All-Party Delegations to Not Join His Group, Cites Urs at Native Village INDIA Bloc Pushes for Special Session of Parliament on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor Five Questions That Indian MPs May Have to Face Abroad We Disagree With Modi Govt But Will Cooperate As Its Delegates Abroad: John Brittas, Asad Owaisi Rijiju Jumps to Defend Tharoor as MP Faces Congress Ire Over 'LoC Never Breached' Remark After Rijiju Dials Mamata, TMC Picks Abhishek Banerjee to Join Op Sindoor All-Party Delegations On Operation Sindoor Delegations, TMC Cries Foul Over Govt 'Unilateral' Call on Delegates Pak's Support to Terror, Op Sindoor, Indus Water Treaty: What the All-Party Delegations Will Address UP Govt Denies Permission for Centuries-Old Jeth Mela in Bahraich, No Interim Relief From HC View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers in Haryana's Adampur protest, demand canal water for irrigation
Hisar: Farmers under the banner of the All India Kisan Sabha , Adampur Tehsil Committee, on Wednesday staged a protest outside the Adampur Grain Market office. They demanded a two-week supply of water through canals for irrigation apart from raising several other concerns.A memorandum addressed to the chief minister and the deputy commissioner, Hisar, was also submitted through the protest was led by Kisan Sabha district secretary Satbir Singh Dhayal and chaired by tehsil president Anil Bainda. Addressing the protesters, secretary, Adampur Tehsil Committee, Kapoor Singh Bagla said the farmers were facing severe water shortages for both irrigation and drinking highlighted that many village ponds had dried up, and dhanis (rural settlements) were struggling with an acute drinking water noted that cotton was the predominant crop in the region, but due to water shortage, only minimal sowing could be done this also raised concerns over the installation of electricity towers in agricultural fields, claiming the govt is offering only nominal compensation. Farmers are demanding four times the current market rate for land key demands include immediate disbursement of pending compensation for the 2022 Kharif season and a permanent resolution to the issue of waterlogging in agricultural Sabha district president Shamsher Singh Nambardar, tehsil treasurer Mageram Godara, and district committee member Abhay Ram Fauji also addressed the protesters.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India-U.K. FTA deal: Farmers' outfits decry India-U.K. trade pact as threat to agriculture and small industries
The farmers' organisations expressed grave concern at the signing of a free trade agreement between India and United Kingdom. The organisations alleged that the treaty was signed despite protests by farmers, fish workers and cattle farmers, is a matter of grave concern. Samyukt Kisan Morcha core committee member and All India Kisan Sabha president Ashok Dhawale said as per statements from both the governments, products from the U.K. such as lamb, salmon, soft drinks, chocolate, biscuits, medical devices, cosmetics, electrical machinery, and aerospace will be dumped into our markets without any restrictions by slashing Indian tariffs. 'This will act against the interest of farmers, fish workers and micro, small and medium enterprises that are engaged in food processing. In the past, all such free trade agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, have failed the Indian farmers and small industries,' Dr. Dhawale said. 'Imperialist grip' on Indian economy He added that this agreement too is in that direction of past treaties and will deepen the realisation crisis in India's agricultural and manufacturing sectors and will allow the international finance capital to prey on these sectors. 'Such treaties are imposed on the people without any Parliamentary scrutiny. The central government is paving the way for yet another imperialist rule on the country. The Union government should back off from this treaty immediately. It should also withdraw from negotiations with the United States for a similar treaty that would pander to the Trump-led imperialist regime,' Dr. Dhawale said. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) coordinator Pavel Kussa said the treaty will firm the 'imperialist grip' on Indian economy. 'Already, this imperialist grip has created hurdles in our development. Now, more foreign products will be dumped here. This reminds the East India Company's colonial rule over India. The Union Government wants to hand over the country's markets to imperialist rulers yet again,' Mr. Kussa said adding that on the one hand, the Centre is promoting ultra nationalism and on the other hand it is betraying the national interest and people's interests and succumbing to imperialist powers.
