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Journalism of Courage
BHARATIYA Kisan Sangh head Kunwarjibhai Jadhav is a doctorate in agriculture from the University of California, a former additional director of agriculture of Gujarat and the current Chairman of the Organic Farming Committee of the Union Agriculture Ministry. Excerpts from an interview with Pradeep Kaushal:
Why this sudden burst of criticism against the A.B. Vajpayee Government?
We thought it is our government. It would honour the NDA commitment to ‘swadeshi’. However, it has turned out to be worse than the government of P.V. Narasimha Rao.
In what way?
Rao adopted WTO policies, but the Vajpayee Government is pursuing WTO policies with more zeal than even the WTO.
Do you favour subsidies for farmers?
Not in the present form. The subsidy on fertilisers is going to industrialists. We want the Government to spend the amount of Rs 8,000 crore, now being doled out as subsidy, on production and promotion of organic manure. Chemical fertilisers are depleting the fertility of soil, whereas organic manure would enrich it. Besides, it would prove to be a boon for our livestock. The developed countries are fooling developing countries by advising them through world fiscal bodies to cut down subsidies to farmers. The US is providing subsidies to its own farmers under social security schemes.
What about free electricity and irrigation water and remission of farmers’ loans?
We are against these sops. It is pointless having free electricity, and no supply. The remission of loans would paralyse Banks. The Government may charge farmers for power at cost prices, but it should take this into account while fixing support prices.
You are known to oppose imports. What about the import of seeds to improve the quality of our own foodgrains, fruits and vegetables?
We don’t oppose imports per se. However, we have to be very judicious and ensure that whatever we get in is eco-friendly. We don’t approve of Bt cotton when we can develop a similar variety and distribute it for half the price.
