Gujarat farmers take digital route to voice grievances

RAJKOT: In normal times, they would have braved the blistering heat and hit the roads. But farmers from villages across Gujarat will be now going ‘digital’ to voice their burning issues with the state government.
In a first, nearly 10,000 farmers are expected to join a digital rally by going live on a social networking site on Sunday. They will also hold symbolic fast at their houses to voice a plethora of grievances against the government policies.
Around 32 farmer leaders including Dr Kanu Kalsariya, Pal Ambaliya, Sagar Rabari, Rajsinh Shekhavat and Jayesh Patel will address the gathering on social media
Messages urging farmers to join the digital congregation have been widely circulated in Whatsapp groups. The timings of speeches of the leaders have been fixed and farmers will join this gathering from their mobile handsets. They will be also be able to express their opinions.
The issues range from meagre returns for the farm produce to crop loan and crop insurance. The latest issue to be discussed is procurement of chickpeas by the government agencies. The government had earlier announced procurement of up to 2,500 kg chickpeas from each farmer, but from Saturday, the rules were changed. As per new rules, if the cultivation is in less than 1.5 hectare area, the government will procure 360 kg from one farmer and if the acreage is more than 1.5 ha, the agencies will procure 540 kg. Government agency procures chickpeas at Rs 975 per 20kg while market price is around Rs 700- Rs750.
Farmer rights activist and Kisan Congress chairman, Pal Ambaliya said, “A farmer can’t afford to come to the agency to sell small quantity of stock. Someone coming from 20km far has to bear the fuel and labour cost of loading and unloading. He can’t afford to sell just 360kg.”
Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) leaders, who will also address the digital rally, submitted a memorandum to Rajkot collector on regarding the chickpeas issue.
Ratan Dodiya, a farmer leader from Surendranagar said, “Crop insurance scheme is designed only to benefit the insurance companies. We will discuss all these issues and any farmer from any corner may join and given opinions and suggestions.”
According to leaders, farmers have started sending their video messages expressing their desire to join this event and observe one-day fast.