Farmers’ organisations seek urgent support amid global market instability

Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Farmers’ Organisations Coordination Committee have urged the Union and State governments to extend immediate support to farmers affected by the global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, committee convener Vadde Shobhanadreeswara Rao said the ongoing conflict had disrupted markets and adversely affected several crops in the State. Farmers cultivating chickpeas, maize, shrimp and coconuts were facing difficulties as traders were reluctant to purchase produce arriving in markets during the ongoing rabi season, he said.

He said the Union and State governments should intervene immediately and procure crops at the Minimum Support Price through the price stabilisation fund to protect farmers from losses. The meeting also passed a resolution calling for an immediate end to the conflict to restore global stability, he added.

The committee announced that meetings would be organised across the State on March 23 to mark the death anniversary of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, following a call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. A State-level conference opposing what the leaders described as anti-farmer policies of the Union and State governments will be held in Vijayawada on April 5.

Farmers’ leaders also demanded a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price based on the C2 plus 50% formula, a nationwide farm loan waiver and stronger protections for tenant farmers. They urged the governments to ensure crop insurance, input subsidies and relief measures for farmers affected by climate change and crop diseases.