Alappuzha (Kerala), Mar 2 (PTI) The Kerala government is making relentless efforts to protect the agriculture sector and the farmers from the influence of corporates, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday.
Addressing a massive gathering of farmers as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas here, Vijayan said even though the farmers are facing challenges, the Central government was not ready to ensure price stability of agricultural crops.
“The state government is making relentless efforts to protect the agriculture sector and farmers of Kerala from the influence of agri-corporates. We are putting an end to the trends of doing away with subsidies for agriculture and raising the prices of fertilizers,” Vijayan said.
Attacking the Union government, Vijayan said even laws related to agriculture are being amended in favour of the corporates in the country.
“Even when agriculture and farmers are facing challenges, the Central government is not ready to ensure price stability of agricultural crops or efficient storage of food grains. The state government is moving forward by increasing the budget allocation for agriculture, providing assistance to farmers by interfering in the market and thus keeping agri-corporates away. This is an alternative way,” Vijayan said.
He claimed that the state government has intervened to modernise the agriculture sector in the state and to increase the income of the farmers.
Vijayan also said that it was imperative to utilise all possible resources for the development of the agriculture sector and pointed out the importance of cooperative movements as the farmers could rely on those institutions for financial assistance.
“An important intervention of the government in the rubber industry is the establishment of Kerala Rubber Limited Company with an investment of Rs 1,050 crore. The company, which will require an investment of Rs 200 crore in the first phase, will be a boost to the rubber industry in Kerala once it becomes a reality,” he added.
He also pointed out that after this government came to power, till date 11,082 acres of barren land have been converted to cultivable land.
“Vegetable cultivation was spread to 55,277 hectares of land during the tenure of this government and through this, 5.57 lakh metric tonnes of vegetables were produced. In this financial year alone, activities aimed at expanding cultivation on 1.21 lakh hectares and thereby producing 17.23 lakh metric tonnes of vegetables are underway,” the chief minister added. PTI RRT RRT SS
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