KALPETTA (Wayanad): CPI (M) Polit Bureau member and All India Kisan Sabha president S. Ramachandran Pillai has said the sabha had no objection to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in agriculture if it was conditional upon enhancement of productivity and employment generation and introduction of advanced technology.

Briefing reporters about the deliberations on the second day of the 22nd State conference of the Kerala Karshaka Sanghom here on Saturday, Mr. Pillai said the sabha would, however, oppose investment that would alter the land utilisation pattern and any attempt to commercialise agriculture at the expense of the food security of the nation.

He said there was no difference in the perceptions of the CPI (M) leadership in general and those of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on the question of foreign direct investment.

He said the conference wanted a Commission to be constituted at the national level on the lines of the SC/ST Commission and Minorities Commission to periodically look into the problems faced by farmers.

It must have both experts and representatives of farmers as its members.

There must also be a separate fund to provide assistance to farmers in distress either on account of calamities or price fluctuations.

Mr. Pillai said the sabha welcomed the recommendations of the M. S. Swaminathan-led National Commission on Farmers for higher public and private investment in agriculture, pegging of interest on farm loans at 4 per cent and creation of a Price Stabilisation Fund.

Since it was constituted by the UPA Government, the latter was duty-bound to implement the recommendations, he said.

He said the Karshaka Sanghom proposed to launch a `Save Wayanad' campaign and to oppose the pension scheme for dairy farmers being prepared by the State Government.

The scheme should be reworked to provide for Government contribution, he added.

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