AIKS opposes govt's plan to allow FDI in farm land

The CPI(M)'s peasant wing AIKS today opposed the UPA government's plan to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in agriculture land, saying such a move would affect farmers and food security of the country.
At present FDI is banned in farm land. The government has formed a three-member cabinet committee to examine this issue.
"The opening up of farm land to FDI will make the land precious commodity for the private profiteering of corporate forces and realtors, and go against the interests of peasantry and agriculture production. It will be detrimental to food security of the country," the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) said in a statement.

"This move is part of larger agenda of pushing up neo- liberalisation reforms and opening up the entire economy of the country to foreign corporate forces. It will have larger implications on the sovereignty of the nation," it warned.
Letting foreign realtors buy agricultural land will lead to speculative land acquisition and hoarding, it added.
Appealing political parties to take firm stand against such a move, AIKS said, "The corporate forces and bureaucracy is lobbying with the UPA government to make early decision on the crucial issue before its tenure ends."
The main argument of those forces advocating FDI in farm land is that it will help to raise funds for development and farmers will be benefited. "This is totally baseless and actually will ruin the peasantry and agriculture production in the country," it said.