Rajnath too can head farmer panel if he gives up his job as minister: K C Tyagi

You suggested Sharad Pawar as head of such a commission. Any special reason?

He has a sound understanding of agriculture as well as a pragmatic approach to issues. I would favour even Rajnath Singh, provided he is ready to give up his job as home minister and accept this assignment.

What do you find lacking in the approach to agriculture?

The farmer’s voice is missing. The government seeks suggestions from ASSOCHAM, FICCI… while considering budget proposals. I have no issue with this but why not also call genuine representatives of farmers, not sarkari chamchas?

You say the government has not done enough to ensure payment of minimum support prices.

I want the BJP to reboot its manifesto and replay the election speeches of PM Narendra Modi. It was their own case that costs of farming had gone up. All agricultural inputs cost much higher than before, but there has been no corresponding increase in MSP. My demand is implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which means the cost of inputs plus 50% for fixing MSPs. The present government has given a hike of only 3.5% in MSPs. It has given an interest-free loan of Rs 10,000 crore to sugar mills owners. Why not show a similar compassion to farmers? And, is it not reasonable to ask for parity between the farmers and government employees, who have got a 300% salary hike in 10 years?

Are higher MSPs your main concern?

I also demand modernisation of mandis. When you have e-governance and e-tendering, why not make a similar arrangement to keep farmers posted with market changes so that they sell when it suits them the most? It is slipping into the hands of middlemen. More so, when international funding agencies are building pressure on India to limit farm produce procurement to 25 per cent and leave the rest to the private sector.