In the context of the Singur situation relating to land ownership, the view that in addition to accelerated agricultural progress there is a need to create greater avenues for employment in the industrial and services sectors gains support. Mamata Banerjee has raised the important issue of land use and acquisition for a public, political, professional and media debate. With increasing population pressure on land, this issue deserves careful consideration and a rational discussion. The Singur dilemma in a wider sense relates to both land use policy and norms of compensation for land acquired by government for non-farm purposes. Land conflicts are also spreading in other parts of the country, as for example where land is needed to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZ). The Maharashtra Government has wisely adopted the policy of holding a referendum to seek the views of farmers and others who will be dispossessed of their land to meet the needs of an SEZ. Proactive consultations will help avoid difficulties later. Water conflicts are also affecting important irrigation projects. Land conflicts are likely to do the same and may affect the balanced growth of the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy. How can we deal with this situation in a manner which leads to a win-win outcome for all the stakeholders? The National Commission on Farmers (NCF), which I chaired during 2004-06, dealt with this question in detail and presented its recommendations in five reports submitted to the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Based on a draft provided by the NCF, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Food placed on the table of Parliament in November 2007 a National Policy for Farmers. This is the first time either in colonial or independent India that a National Policy has been announced for farmers and not just for farming. There are numerous national policies for agriculture, including the well-known Royal Commission on Agriculture Report prepared during the colonial period, but none so far for farmers. The uniqueness of the National Policy of Farmers presented to the nation by the United Progressive Alliance Government is that it calls for a paradigm shift from a purely tonnage based approach to agricultural development to an approach that takes into account the socio-economic well-being of farm families. The policy said: