Section of farmers question govt decision to allow FDI in retail

To meet on October 10 to oppose the move

A group of farmers under the banner of Federation of Indian Farmers Organisation has strongly opposed the recent government decision to allowed 51% foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail on the grounds that past experience has shown that multinational retail chains exploit farmers through monopolisation of procurement and logistics systems.

In a recent meeting held in the capital, the farmers’ leaders alleged that it is believed that farmers are pleased with decision based on the feedback received from two farmers’ organisations which are allegedly funded by MNCs.

“Farmers across the country want to know how the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail will benefit the growers,” said MJ Khan, National Convenor of the Federation of Indian Farmers Organisation. He said to decide on their future course of action and also to seek clarity from the government, prominent farmers association will meet in the capital on October 10.

The meeting will also be attended by representatives of political parties and also multinational retail companies. “If farmers are not consulted and their doubts clarified then farmers across the country will come to the streets,” Khan said.

He said data sourced from International Farms Comparison Network shows that within 14 years in the US and UK, the share of farmers in the consumer spent for farm produce reduced by almost 40% from 56 cent in 1996 to 38 cents in 2010.

Other leaders present at the meeting also questioned the haste in which the government took the decision to allow FDI in retail.

“The multinational retail companies have deep pockets and can create monopolistic situation which will harm the interest of small and marginal farmers in India,” said Ram Karan Solanki, president of Delhi unit of Krishak Samaj.