Ryots agree upon five resolutions at Raitotsava

Farmer leaders resolved to improve the standard of living and farming practices of farmers at the valedictory of Raithotsava here on Saturday.

They demanded that a national agricultural wage commission be set up by the centre to address the despicable conditions of agricultural labourers in the country, among five resolutions taken up at the concluding ceremony.

Before amending the Land Acquisition Act, the recommendations made by the parliamentary standing committee on the Act must be considered, they urged.

They sought the government to earmark patches of land, used exclusively for agriculture, in order to provide food security both for farmers and the general public.

Among the resolutions made was to lay emphasis on organic farming, considering environmental problems such as global warming, owing to rampant use of chemical fertiliser in the farming activities. A consensus to safeguard the folk knowledge of farmers in agriculture was also achieved at the venue.

Cauvery crisis

Farmer leaders lamented the ignorance of elected representatives on Cauvery water sharing dispute. “Central government should aim to solve the crisis amicably, rather than continuing it as a dispute,” he said.

“It is an age where caste politics is at its nadir in the state. Due to this, struggles taken up for the cause of farmers has lost its value. Farmers should unite in fighting for their rights,” he said.

Trustee of Amrutabhoomi Janopayogi Trust, Yuddaveer Singh condemned the acquisition of agricultural land in the country.

“Such acquisitions done with a pretext of development of the region has to be stopped. Atrocities committed against farmers by the government to accomodate multi-national companies in the country should be stopped,” Singh added.

Across nation

Apart from Karnataka, raitotsava saw the participation of farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, along with ryots from the state. They were acquainted with varieties of indigenous crops and vowed to preserve rare seeds.