Commonwealth group supports subsidies, MSP for crops

Advocating equitable price for agriculture produce, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meet on agriculture Friday also recommended continuance of Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime for staple and other crops and subsidies on other farm-related items.

The recommendation was made for participating countries at the conclusion of a three-day CPA meet on agriculture here.

The meet also recommended subsidies on agricultural power, diesel, machinery, and implements to increase accessibility of small land holder farmers, besides involving private sector in this.

The committee also recommended that international trade policies should be framed in a way that the interest of developing counties is protected. It also sought that subsidies by developed countries should be rationalised.

Delegates from Bangladesh, Malaysia, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and observers from Tanzania and Uganda attended the conference.

The meet esolved to work for effective and strong agricultural lobbying in all legislative bodies to safeguard the interests of farmers and to influence the budgetary allocations for the agriculture sector.

The resolution stressed the need to develop linkages of agriculture sector with universities, researchers, scientists, donors, civil society groups, private sector, decision makers at country as well as international level.