Farmer`s friend
Doesn't your protest against Cargill amount to terrorism?
It is what the multinationals are doing that is terrorism. The Cargills are the terrorists. They are here to set up their empire and fleece innocent farmers, just like the East India Company did earlier.
Are you against the domestic private companies too?
I am against all private plant-breeders. Plant-breeding is the prerogative of the farmers and we will not allow privatisation and commercialisation of agricultural research.
Are you opposed to improved varieties of plants and animals?
No, I am not against science or research. But research and development should not be the domain of a few and its fruits should not be used for private profit.
But R&D is in shambles in the public sector.
Yes, there are flaws that must be corrected in the research activities of government-controlled laboratories. We have talented scientists and they have to be encouraged. I know this is a challenge, but agriculture is the only field where India can assert its sovereignty.
Aren't our farmers equally responsible for the loss of traditional varieties and the erosion of our genetic base?
We are trying to build up awareness among farmers. We have undertaken a systematic survey of the existing crop varieties -- paddy, ragi and groundnut were covered in the first phase. Our activists have distributed cyclostyled questionnaires pertaining to these crops, in both rainfed and irrigated lands in four Karnataka districts.
Have you studied the Dunkel draft?
The state legislatures should look at the section of the draft dealing with agriculture because agriculture is a state subject. I am moving a resolution in the Assembly to urge the Centre to amend Article 253 of the Constitution and enable state participation while negotiating such international treaties and agreements.
Is Karnataka the only state where farmers have taken up cudgels against the MNCs?
No, this is merely the first state. The others will follow suit soon. We are in touch with Mahendra Singh Tikait, Patnaik and other farmer leaders in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. You will know more about it in March when we assemble at the Boat Club in New Delhi.
Related Content
- A field study report on demonstration results of identified best indigenous, eco-friendly and climate resilient agricultural practices in Nepal
- Niti Aayog ranks Maharashtra most farmer-friendly state
- Save and grow in practice: maize, rice, wheat- a guide to sustainable cereal production
- Commodities and Development Report 2015: smallholder farmers and sustainable commodity development
- Quantifying greenhouse gas fluxes in agriculture and forestry: methods for entity-scale inventory
- Farmers’ knowledge and creativity in eco-friendly pest management: Lessons in sustainable agriculture