There is no truth to the claims made by the State government that there is tremendous growth in the agriculture sector, development economist Prof. Jayati Ghosh said here on Sunday.
“There is growth in allied sectors but not in the agriculture sector. Also, the farmers’ income has not increased by 97% as is being claimed,” Prof. Ghosh said.
Prof. Ghosh headed a 13-member panel called Andhra Pradesh Commission on Farmers’ Welfare in erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh nearly 15 years ago.
Addressing a press conference held in the city on Sunday, Prof. Ghosh said that there was not much value addition done to the agriculture produce in the State.
“The gross value added has not increased. The debt redemption scheme implemented by the State government also did not benefit the farmers, who were actually cultivating the land. The proposals on direct cash transfer into farmers’ accounts would also not benefit them. These measures would be of immediate relief but would not actually help the farming community in the long run. Governments should focus on remunerative prices, affordable irrigation water, and bringing down the agriculture costs,” Prof. Ghosh said.
‘Govts not keen’
Referring to the 13-member panel, Prof. Ghosh expressed the view that the governments were not keen on implementing the recommendations of the committees on farmers’ issues.
“Many Commissions and Committees were constituted by the State and Central governments. The 13-member panel was constituted in combined Andhra Pradesh. Likewise, Swamithanam Commission recommendations were not implemented till date. The Radhakrishna Committee report is yet to see the light of the day,” she said.
