State President of Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha, Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar said that on the lines of Kerala, there should be an announcement of support price in Himachal also. He was speaking today while launching the membership drive for the expansion of Kisan Sabha at Nahan in district Sirmaur. He told that the Government of Kerala has fixed the Minimum Support Price on 16 crops. The officials should send the team to study the state of Kerala and bring the crops grown in Himachal Pradesh on the lines of Kerala state under Minimum Support Price so that the economy of the farmers can be improved. He said that in the first phase, a target has been set to include seven and a half thousand new members in the Kisan Sabha. Dr. Tanwar informed that Sirmaur has the highest yield of three major crops, Tomato, Lasuhan and Ginger. But till date no effective steps have been taken by the government for the interests of the farmers of Sirmaur. Whereas in Sirmaur there is a great need for processing plants and CA stores based on these three crops. Dr. Tanwar told that this time the farmers’ garlic was sold for a minimum of Rs 35 and tomato crates for Rs 90. Due to which the farmers have not been able to get the cost. In the past, old ginger was sold at Rs.25 paise per kg in Bechar Ka Bagh. The condition of the farmers is very pathetic this year in the absence of proper price. Dr. Tanwar informed that three grain markets are functioning in Sirmaur. In which facilities like CA store etc. should be created keeping in view the problems of the farmers. He said that 23 crops have been covered by the National Level Joint Kisan Sabha, which includes seven cereals, seven pulses and four other sugarcane, jute etc. But it does not include tomatoes, garlic and ginger.
On the lines of Kerala, support price of crops should be declared in Himachal: Dr. Kuldeep Tanwar
