Import policy affecting farmers: Agriculturists federation

COIMBATORE: Criticising the import policy of the Centre, Federation of Tamil Nadu Agriculturists Association today alleged that some of its policies were turning out to be anti-farmer.

The federation said the Government has allowed the import of potato and onion worth Rs 500 crore, which were available and raised aplenty across the country.

Since there was no remunerative price for onion and potato, the farmers were suffering heavy loss, S Nallasami, Federation secretary, said in a release.

Similarly, as against the requirment of 1.9 crore tons of edible oil, the import was to the tune of 1.18 crore tons, which resulted in the fall of the prices of coconut, groundnut, gingelly, castor and mustard, he claimed

Another issue adversely affecting the growers was import of sugar, he said.

Since sugar was produced in India more than the demand, allowing import of sugar, has a direct effect on the sugarcane growers and also factories, as the farmers were not not getting the right price for their produce, Nallasami claimed.