To prevent suicides, support price must be announced: KVV Prasad

Anantapur – Andhra Pradesh: AP Rythu Sangham General Secretary KVV Prasad declared that announcing a support price is crucial to prevent suicides, spearheading a state conference on horticultural crops that demanded a support price law and 90% subsidies ahead of the All India Kisan Sabha’s National Congress in Tamil Nadu.

Conference highlights farmers’ struggle

The AP Farmers’ Association District Committee organized a grand state conference on horticultural crops at ZP Hall in Anantapur on Tuesday, aligning with preparations for the 30th National Congress of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, set for April 15-17. Presided over by State Secretary Chiruthala Mallikarjuna, the event featured key addresses by General Secretary KVV Prasad, CPI State Secretary D Jagadish, and local leaders, drawing a significant turnout of farmers and activists.

Call for support price and subsidies

KVV Prasad stressed that a support price, calculated with a 50% markup on labour and costs, is vital to halt farmer suicides. He criticized the central government for setting prices for only 24 of the 600 fruit varieties grown nationwide and demanded 90% subsidies on agricultural schemes. He also highlighted poor transport from villages to markets, ongoing AIKS dharnas for prices on 52 horticultural crops, and free borehole facilities for water access.

Opposition to corporate influence

D Jagadish warned that Anantapur is pivoting from a horticulture hub to a solar and wind power zone, with farmers locked into 30-year agreements at Rs 30,000 per acre, often pledged to banks. He urged farmers’ associations to resist corporate farming. A Katamaiah called for public auctions for fruit farmers and loan waivers akin to corporate debt relief, while Jafar lamented the fading prosperity of farmers despite their green fields.

Political mobilization urged

Vemayya Yadav criticized state governments for not challenging central policies, suggesting dharnas at leaders’ residences to address farmer issues. Jafar pushed for political unity on these concerns, supported by attendees like CPI’s P Narayanaswamy and ITUC’s J Raja Reddy, strengthening the collective advocacy for farmer rights.

Diverse leadership in attendance

The event included CPI leaders C Lingamayya and Rajesh Goud, Farmers’ Association figures like Chennappa Yadav and Govindu, and senior members such as Suryanarayana Reddy and Narasimhulu, alongside district presidents and secretaries, reflecting broad support for the cause.