SKM rejects national policy framework for agricultural marketing

The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday unanimously rejected the Central Government’s national policy framework for agricultural marketing, terming it a “reincarnation of the three black farm laws”.

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As many as 165 delegates from 73 farmer organisations from 12 states attended a general body meeting held at HKS Surjeet Bhawan.

The general body unanimously rejected the framework and said it was being forced through the backdoor via state government.

In a statement, the body labelled the policy as a crude attack on government mandis, privatising them to help MNC and corporate growth in agri retail trade and agri processing corporate industry.

“It attaches local grameen mandis through FPOs and eNAM and will enforce contract farming via FPOs, cooperatives and SHGs ensuring cheap supply to food processor value added chains and link agriculture with future trade and share market. All these are as per WTO and World Bank prescriptions,” the statement said.

It said, “The NPFAM lacks provision for MSP declaration, government procurement and provision for food storage for supply to public distribution system. It caters only to buffer stocks”.

The SKM has announced that it would build pakka morchas from March 5 in all states as the next phase of this movement.

The farmer leaders will meet respective Chief Ministers to demand to adopt resolutions by convening state Assembly to reject NPFAM and urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw it, it said.

“If any state government will not abide by the request, then famers will start pakka morcha in state capitals and the district and sub-division level. The SKM will hold mahapanchayats and conventions as part of the build-up. The respective state coordination committees will work out the details,” the statement said.

The SKM has called for a mass deputation in front of MPs’ offices and residences on February 8 and 9 to request them to stand with farmers and the country and explain the need for rejecting NPFAM.

“The general body also strongly condemned the recent effort of the NDA 3 government to implement the four labour codes and extended support to the resistance being built by the trade unions and workers across the country,” it concluded.

The members present in the meeting included Hannan Mollah, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Rakesh Tikait, Revula Venkaiah, Satyawan and Dr Sunilam.