Farmer bodies today demanded that government should set up a commission which will look into their demand of minimum guaranteed income for the farming community.
As many as 11 farmer organisations today asked the government to set up a farm income commission, which they say will recommend a minimum guaranteed income for a dignified livelihood to all farm households.
The prescribed income should not only meet their basic needs for bare subsistence, but address the matter of inter- sectoral parity and dignity in agriculture, the organsations said in a letter addressing to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The farm income commission should be tasked with examining and documenting income levels realised by different kinds of farmers all over the country so that interventions can be constantly sharpened and addressed in a focused manner," the letter added.
It also mentioned that farmers are reeling under debt as 70 per cent of agricultural households in India (estimated at 6.26 crore households), on an average, are facing a deficit of Rs 856 a month per household in terms of their expenses exceeding receipts.
"It is with a great sense of urgency that we write to you, asking you and your government to show your commitment to ensuring minimum living incomes to farm households by taking up a few measures," the letter said.
The farmer bodies which have signed the letter are Bhartiya Kisan Union, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan, Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers' Movements, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and Swaraj Abhiyan among others.
