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“Planters are on their knees”
- By Sobhanund Seeparsad
- Published 11th April, 2008
- Interview
- Unrated
Sobhanund Seeparsad
Editor of News On Sunday. Did university studies in the UK and India. Holds an MA , BA (Hons), BCom, PGCE, PCCGE, Diploma in Journalism (IPI-Zurich). Worked in Nairobi and Mumbai. Was chief Sub Editor Indian Express Group of Papers in 70s. Author: Effective Notes on Milton Paradise Lost BK IX (1963); Granper Rakont Nu Enn Zistwar (1998). Also acted in many short and feature films, including popular TV serial C'est La Vie. Tells a folk story in Bhojpuri on MBC radio daily.
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“Our investigation shows over 75 % of the planters in the vegetable and the non-vegetable sectors have been affected. The worst hit are those whose lands were in sloppy areas, near the rivers and such other places where high level of water logging were recorded,” says Tunraz Rampall.
He points out stocks of inputs left behind in the fields have been washed away; so also damage hasn't spared stocks of fertilizers and pesticides. Seeds have also been subjected to attacks from proliferating fungus because of the high level of moisture.
Total paralysis
“Damage recorded to in-field access, drainage infrastructure is again at its worse. Many rutted roads that lead to the fields have become inaccessible to transport. Bridges have collapsed, drains blocked with soil, pebbles, rocks and other rubbish. The situation is really awful. I think it will take some time - at least two to three years - before planters can stand on their legs. As things are today, they are all on their knees, helpless. They are paralysed,” he adds.
Planters now fear the country will have to resort to imports of vegetables, which in turn, will affect the price of the little output left in the country. This isn't all. There is already a shortage of carrot seeds, fertilisers to use in potato plantations. The price of pesticides has shot up. Rats, rodents and snails have become a serious threat after the torrential rains.
“Worse still, free riders - those who register as planters but are never engaged in planting activities - benefit from
relief schemes and incentives even before the genuine growers,” Tunraz says.
He, however, admits that Government is trying to help. “It is concerned about the precarious situation that we are in. It has offered a loan of Rs 75,000 at 3 % rate of interest. This is welcome but, one should not forget that the amount comes to add to loans unpaid and that have accumulated. Many planters would not be able to avail of it. They are heavily indebted. Loss of investment per arpent is over Rs 40,000.
Proposals
“What one has to understand is this: besides the loss already suffered, we have to invest massively in preparing the land for new crops. Added to this, we have to find further investment for plantation. That's why we suggest that Government appoints a financial and social economist to evaluate the loss incurred and to propose a compensation for the planters. We are not begging for any favour. We want an independent person, appointed by Government, to tell us whether we deserve an income support or not.
“We all know, the country has suffered a calamity almost every year since 1998 and so far no compensation has been offered to planters. Those who took loans in 2007 had to use the money to pay back earlier loans. They are still indebted. We request the authorities to freeze existing arrears or to write them off so that planters can avail of the present loan offer and contribute to food security. The situation is critical. It will worsen in future, particularly with rising cost of diesel, labour and other inputs. It's time to think of a new agriculture policy and a new insurance support scheme,” Tunraz says.
He points out stocks of inputs left behind in the fields have been washed away; so also damage hasn't spared stocks of fertilizers and pesticides. Seeds have also been subjected to attacks from proliferating fungus because of the high level of moisture.
Total paralysis
“Damage recorded to in-field access, drainage infrastructure is again at its worse. Many rutted roads that lead to the fields have become inaccessible to transport. Bridges have collapsed, drains blocked with soil, pebbles, rocks and other rubbish. The situation is really awful. I think it will take some time - at least two to three years - before planters can stand on their legs. As things are today, they are all on their knees, helpless. They are paralysed,” he adds.
Planters now fear the country will have to resort to imports of vegetables, which in turn, will affect the price of the little output left in the country. This isn't all. There is already a shortage of carrot seeds, fertilisers to use in potato plantations. The price of pesticides has shot up. Rats, rodents and snails have become a serious threat after the torrential rains.
“Worse still, free riders - those who register as planters but are never engaged in planting activities - benefit from
He, however, admits that Government is trying to help. “It is concerned about the precarious situation that we are in. It has offered a loan of Rs 75,000 at 3 % rate of interest. This is welcome but, one should not forget that the amount comes to add to loans unpaid and that have accumulated. Many planters would not be able to avail of it. They are heavily indebted. Loss of investment per arpent is over Rs 40,000.
Proposals
“What one has to understand is this: besides the loss already suffered, we have to invest massively in preparing the land for new crops. Added to this, we have to find further investment for plantation. That's why we suggest that Government appoints a financial and social economist to evaluate the loss incurred and to propose a compensation for the planters. We are not begging for any favour. We want an independent person, appointed by Government, to tell us whether we deserve an income support or not.
“We all know, the country has suffered a calamity almost every year since 1998 and so far no compensation has been offered to planters. Those who took loans in 2007 had to use the money to pay back earlier loans. They are still indebted. We request the authorities to freeze existing arrears or to write them off so that planters can avail of the present loan offer and contribute to food security. The situation is critical. It will worsen in future, particularly with rising cost of diesel, labour and other inputs. It's time to think of a new agriculture policy and a new insurance support scheme,” Tunraz says.
