Exim policy for agricultural produce should be long term and in the interest of farmers, says BKS
Exim policy for agricultural produce should be long term and in the interest of farmers, says BKS
The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a farmers’ group of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), criticized the Centre’s export and import policies. BKS urged the government to formulate long-term export and import policies in the interest of farmers.
BKS, which held its All India Managing Committee meeting in Raipur last week, said over the years it has been observed that whenever a crop is on the verge of harvesting, the commerce ministry orders its import. BKS also said that the ministry has either reduced or waived off import duty, which adversely affects farmers, especially growers of onions, edible oils and pulses.
“Similarly, whenever there is excess production of a crop, the government imposes a sudden ban on simultaneous exports. This has been observed repeatedly, especially in the case of wheat, sugar and onions. By doing so, the commerce ministry not only directly harms the farmers but also puts the national interest at stake. Because, in the event of imports, foreign exchange is spent unnecessarily,” BKS said.
The farmers’ organization said that due to bad policies, the market prices of crops fall and farmers do not sow the crop in the next season. This reduces production and increases the country’s dependence on imports. “The same happens when there is an excess production. It should be exported but the farmers have to face huge losses due to the arbitrary conduct of the commerce ministry,” said the organisation’s office bearers.
BKS said that the estimated and actual data of cultivation and production of all crops is available with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. “But the commerce ministry finds it shameful to take these figures/statistics from the agriculture ministry. As a result, imports and exports are either allowed or prohibited without any valid reason. This leads us to believe that this type of malicious act specifically aimed at harming the interests of farmers is not in line with the farmer-friendly policies of the Central government,” BKS said.
As part of its suggestions, the BKS Committee proposed that the Ministry of Commerce, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, should formulate a visionary plan to ensure that there is adequate production of imported goods and that the country becomes self-reliant, so that This has a significant impact on the production of edible oils and pulses in particular. For this special incentive should be given to grow edible oilseed crops, BKS said.
“The quantum of export or import should be based on the data/records provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and there should be clear provision in the policy to determine the required quantum of import. Apart from this, free export of excess quantity of production should be allowed. A policy to this effect should be formulated,” said BKS.
It also demanded that there should be a provision for export subsidy, so that, in a situation where the prices of a commodity in the country of import are low, and there is regular demand, India can become a major exporter of that commodity. In any event of import and export, the responsibility of the designated officers/group of officers should be fixed, BKS further said.