The Hindu Business Line : Swaminathan moots common market for agricultural produce

PROF M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, has suggested that there should be a common single market for agricultural commodities across the country.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said the policy for agriculture had to start with a single common market in India.

Earlier speaking on `2006-07- Year of Agricultural Renewal' at the 93rd Indian Science Congress, he wanted the trade barriers between the States to go.

He, however, pointed out that issues related to Value-Added Tax and revenue losses to States should be looked into carefully. It should be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders, including the farmers.

He also suggested formation of ITO (Indian Trade Organisation) to serve as a friend and guide to small farm families and to take proactive advice on land use and crop planning.

The Ministries of Commerce, Agriculture and Food could take the lead in establishing the ITO, run by professionals.

The ITO could have two wings - one dealing with farm commodities consumed nationally (about 93 per cent) and the other focusing on export component.

The former would be taken care by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It should have a National and State Land Use Advisory Service, with the capacity to link land use decisions with ecological, meteorological and marketing factors on a location and season specific bases.

Prof Swaminathan asked the Union Government to declare 2006-07 the year of agricultural renewal. He warned that if the country didn't address the `Indian enigma' of co-existence of technological capabilities and poverty, there would be social disruption and violence. He said the present agrarian crisis could be turned into an opportunity by reversing the decline.

The Union Government should consider creating an Agriculture Risk Fund to provide relief to the farmers in case of successive droughts.