AAP turns focus to farm sector

“There is a need to shift the focus of the economy from agricultural production to the farmer’s income,” said Atishi Marlena, party leader involved in framing the manifesto.

WOOING FARMERS

Establish farmers’ income commission to assess farm incomes Minimum support price to be set 50% above the real cost of cultivation Set up price guarantee system so that farmers get MSP for all 25 crops Create affordable institutional credit Effective insurance for crops at unit level Reduce cost of cultivation Diversify income-generating activities

The party think-tank believes a lot of money is being spent on farm loans, subsidies and agricultural research but the conditions of the farmers in India are worsening.

Taking a cue from a recent survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Lokniti, which said 76 per cent of the farmers wanted to pursue some other occupation, the party believes there is a need to shift the focus to the rural economy.

The commission will have farmer representatives along with field experts, and it will assess the incomes of farmers every year. “The commission is responsible for recommending various measures, which will enhance the incomes to meet the living income target,” states the party manifesto.

Some of the measures that the commission looks to implement are: Fair minimum support prices, price guarantee for 25 crops, affordable institutional credit, effective insurance for crops and livestock, reducing cost of cultivation and diversification of income-generating activities.