THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two farm experts have sought a new deal for the farmers in the budget to be presented by Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Friday. Chittur MLA K. Krishnankutty (JD-S), chairman of agriculture development policy sub-committee, and former agriculture director R. Hali, in a letter sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, demanded four policy initiatives in the farm sector. Mr Vijayan has promised to take necessary action and forwarded the letter to Mr Isaac. They demanded the formation of a farmers’ welfare board and giving a basic price as well as 50 percent profit to the farmers in procuring and processing of vegetables.
They also wanted the introduction of a cess to enable the farmers to get a portion of what the re-seller earns from value-added products. For example, when a rubber planter sells his produce, he might be paid Rs 130- Rs 140 per kg. But when he re-sells it to make value-added products, he will be earning much more. The farmer should also get a certain portion of it. Mr Hali told DC that union finance minister Arun Jaitley had already announced a cess for the welfare of the farmers. They also sought steps to waive off the agricultural loans taken by the farmers.
