Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

Centre must set up agricultural economic zones, says Ramadoss

— PHOTO: G. KARTHIKEYAN

NEED OF THE HOUR: PMK founder S. Ramadoss addressing a seminar at Vedasandur in Dindigul district on Sunday.

DINDIGUL: The State and Central governments must set up special agricultural economic zones (SAEZ), instead of special economic zones, for sustainable development of agriculture and to boost rural economy. Such a step would prevent migration of rural people to urban areas, said Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss.

He was addressing a seminar on agriculture as part of a two-day farmers’ festival held in Peace ITI at Vedasandur near here on Sunday. Special economic zones, that would convert agriculture lands into industrial workshops, were not necessary for countries such as India, particularly for Tamil Nadu.

“Similarly, the country does not need genetically modified (GM) seeds. Traditional seeds would suffice. If GM seeds come either through universities or scientists or government to the field, farmers are ready to fight against it.”

Implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme at a wrong time had created an acute labour shortage. It must be implemented only in non-agriculture season.

Stimulus package for economic crisis was given only to industrialists. Farmers had not been benefited by loan waiver. Banks must lend liberally for farming activities, Dr. Ramadoss said. “The government must announce a separate budget for agriculture sector,” he said

The State government must create an agricultural produce marketing centre at least in major cities such as Salem, Madurai and Tiruchi to enable farmers to get a decent price for their produce.

Dr. Ramadoss appealed to the State government to fix milk procurement price at Rs.25 a litre and sell milk to consumers at a subsidised price of Rs.13.

A floriculture research station must be established in Dindigul, a major flower producing centres in the State. Farmers must take efforts to save rainwater and protect water sources without depending on government, he said.

PMK State president G.K. Mani expressed a grave concern over rapid shrinking of cultivable lands and slump in food production. The country would face an acute food crisis in the future, he said.

Columnist Thooran Nambi wondered how Dr. Ramadoss would protect farmers’ interests while having strong links with governments that had anti-farmer policies.

Earlier, Dr. Ramadoss released a book ‘Udal Nalam Ungal Kaiyil’ written by TNAU former professor S. Sambandamurthy. Thenkachi Swaminathan received the first copy.

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Centre must set up agricultural economic zones, says Ramadoss

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