Package for farmers draws mixed reaction
NEW DELHI: The announcement of a special package for farmers and migrant workers by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman has drawn a mixed reaction from experts, farmers and the bodies representing the farm community.
Talking to Millennium Post, noted farm expert Ajay Vir Jakhar said, “Though the package is not as per the expectations, still it's a good sign for the farming community as farmers got a slot in the government's list of priorities.”
“The package could have been better. We had hoped for interest waiver for at least oneyear on crop and term loans for farmers. It was also expected to announce the payment of 10 days of wages per month for MGNREGA workers for the next 10 months,” said Jakhar, who is the chairman of Bharat Krishak Samaj.
“It was also demanded that the Centre must change the fund contribution ratio with states from existing 60:40 to 90:10 for all the C entral government-sponsored schemes, which didn't happen. Farmers need more support without which life is going to be more difficult” Jakhar said.
Expressing his displeasure over the package announced for farmers, Bharatiya Kisan Union's (BKU) Dharmendra Malik said, “Apart from extending the agricultural loan for three months and giving loans with a new Kisan Credit Card, there is nothing new in the announced economic package.”
“When will our policymakers understand that farmers are at the receiving end and banks hesitate in offering them farm loans? Also, farmers wouldn't like to risk their lives by getting into the loan trap,” Malik said.
However, a farmer from Vidarbha expressed his satisfaction over the package announcement by saying that the focus of the nation has now shifted towards farmers.
“Farmers were always a neglected community, but this pandemic has proved to a ‘blessing' in disguise for farmers. Now, the government has shifted its focus towards poor farmers in “actuality”. I'm hopeful that the government must do something to continue farming activities,” said Ganesh Nanote, a Vidarbha farmer who is worried about the cultivation of cotton crops.