Farmer bodies linked to India's governing parties are warning that the ruling coalition risks electoral defeat if it continues with its "anti-farmer policies".

Among the main points of concern is the Indo-US pact on ag research and education which, farmers' leaders point out, will promote GMOs in India, extend a strong patent regime in Indian agriculture and give the US and its multinationals free access to India's remarkable genetic biodiversity. Both Wal-Mart and Monsanto are represented on the board overseeing the pact.

Among those raising concerns is Krishan Bir Chaudhary, the executive chairman of India's leading farmers' organisation, Bharat Krishak Samaj. The BKS is the farming organisation of India's ruling Congress party.
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Farmer bodies of UPA coalition up in arms against govt
ASHOK B SHARMA Financial Express, February 20, 2006
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=118161

The farmer organisations have cautioned the Congress-led government against its "anti-farmer policies". They have warned that unless the ruling UPA coalition mends its ways it may face the same fate as that of the esrtwhile NDA government at the Centre.

Incidentally, such voices of resentment have come from the farmers' outfit of the ruling UPA partners. The Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS), the farmers' outfit of the Congress party, has called for immediate withdrawal of the amendments to the Seeds Act tabled in Parliament.

Speaking to the FE BKS executive chairman Krishan Bir Chaudhary said: "The amendments proposed to the Seeds Act are anti-farmer as they calls for manadatory registration of seeds and prevents farmers from saving seeds for the next crop. The Plant Varieties Protection & Farmers' Rights (PVP&FR) Act is sufficient to regulate the seed sector. There is no need for any other legislation. Rather the PVP&FR Act should be further amended in the interests of farmers and for making biopiracy impossible."

Dr Chaudhary criticised the prime minister and the agriculture minister for suggesting that farmers diversify out of wheat and rice cultivation when the government, apprehending shortage, has planned to import 5 lakh tonne of wheat. He said there is no need to import wheat as there is enough stock in the country. He alleged that artificial shortage has been created due to hoarding by traders and multinationals like Cargil and ITC.

Dr Chaudhary also criticised the proposed Indo-US intitiative in Agriculture Research and Education, describing it as against the interests of Indian farmers and a waste of public funds. He said that transgenic technology worldwide in crops has created health and environmental hazards and consumers are reluctant to consume GM foods. The US, through this collaboration, intends to thrust GM food on Indian consumers. The US and multinationals will gain free access to the genetic biodiversity and indulge in biopiracy, he said.

The general secretary of CPI's All India Kisan Sabha, Atul Kumar Anjaan, in addition, said, "As per the proposed agreement Indian scientists who would be persuing studies in US under the exchange programme will have to pay a hefty fee of Rs 400 crore." He criticised the government’s move to invite FDI in retail sector as damaging to the interests of farmers and small retailers. The joint secretary of CPM’s farmers’ outfit, NK Shukla said: "By this agreement, US would extend a strong patent regime in agriculture, affecting the interests of Indian farmers."

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