The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangam (APRS), in association with the CPI and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), will organise a three-day ‘National Farmers Convention’ (Jatiya Rythu Sammelanam) in Guntur from December 18 to December 20.
Issues to be discussed Agriculture scientists, economists, public representatives and progressive farmers from across the country will discuss issues such as modern agriculture, protection of agriculture from globalisation, Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops, and the impact of multinational companies (MNCs) on the agriculture sector.
Debates on role of political parties in protecting the agriculture sector, research, marketing, organic farming, allocation of funds to the agricultural sector, social security for farmers and other issues would be organised, said the programme convenor and CPI district secretary Muppalla Nageswara Rao.
Exhibition An agricultural exhibition would be arranged on December 17, debate on alternative crops would be held on December 18, and ‘Rythu Rakshana Sabha’ would be organised the next day. The CPI is organising drawing competitions on the topic, ‘Rythu Jeevitam’ on the occasion.
Member of Parliament and All India Kisan Sabha president Parpodh Panda, Swaminathan Commission Member and AIKS general secretary Atul Kumar Anjaan, former Price Commission chairman T. Haq, noted agricultural scientist Vandana Shiva, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangam working president K. Ramakrishna and president Pasya Padma and others will attend the meeting.
Women farmers’ meet
Agriculture Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana will inaugurate the meeting. Scientists from Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University and students from agricultural colleges will give suggestions to farmers.
Resolutions passed at the three-day convention would be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Ministers of all the States, said Mr. Nageswara Rao.
A ‘Mahila Rythula Rastra Sadassu’ (women farmers meet) would also be conducted at Mallaiah Lingam Bhavan, in Guntur on December 13. Women farmers from various districts will participate.
