Farmer groups oppose FDI in retail, term it nightmare

Terming Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, which is being claimed beneficial for the farmers by the government, a nightmare for farmers, 30 leading farmer leaders gathered here on Friday to oppose government's decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in retail. 

"FDI in multi-brand Retail will crush the Indian farmers as it has happened in the other countries, where global retailers are holding their business operations. To sustain farmers in farming, the USA Government is trying hard and has been forced to provide $1 billion subsidy per day to its farmers. Many other European Countries are also following the same path. In this backdrop how the global retailers will prove to be beneficial to the Indian farmers is a question which is yet to be answered by the Government," said the leaders while addressing a press conference under the aegis of Khudra FDI Virodhi Rashtriya Morcha (KFVRM).

Leaders from farmer unions including Bhartiya Kisan Union, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Kisan Mahapanchayat, Bhartiya Krishak Samaj, Rashtriya Kisan Majdoor Sangathan, Kheti Virasat Mission, Bhartiya Janta Kisan Morcha were present during the press conference. 

While addressing reporters, Naresh Sirohi, General Secretary of Bhartiya Kisan Morcha and Convener of the Farmers Cell of the KFVRM said, "The Government is trying to sell FDI in retail on the pretext that it will improve the conditions of Indian farmers as they would be getting better prices for their produce, cold storages will be developed, new technology will be available to farmers to improve their farming." 

"All these logics were given at the time of introducing Multi Commodity Exchange in November, 2003 and it is a fact that the MCX has ruined the farmers to the extent of committing suicide," he added.

The Congress led UPA government is already facing the wrath of opposition parties and its allies over the issue. Moreover, UPA's second biggest ally Trinmool Congress had recently withdrawn support to the government after the former refused to take back its decision. 

"We have hundreds of agricultural universities and agricultural research institutes all over the country that are extensively doing well. Are they not able to provide innovative technology to Indian farmers for which the global retailers are being invited to India" the farmer leaders asked.

The farmer leaders demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification and said that they had decided to join hands together to launch an aggressive agitation all over the country which will include protest rallies, dharna and protest marches on mass scale.

Congress, On the other hand, will be holding a rally in the support of FDI in retail at Ramlila Ground on Sunday to highlight the benefit of their decision, which these organisations are calling farce. 

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