Date:09/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/06/09/stories/2004060900201001.htm

Back National commission on farmers

This is with reference to "National Commission on Farmers: Another chance to save agriculture" (Business Line, June 8).

Though development of agriculture is intrinsically related to development of farmers, the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) was instituted mainly to focus on the welfare and development of farmers rather than agriculture.

The scope of the commission, if widened to include development of agriculture within its purview, will dilute the spirit and objective of the commission and make it a failure.

It is therefore imperative for the commission to confine its scope to find out ways and means for the development and welfare of the farmers by reducing the inequality and raising the standard of living.

The issues such as water contamination, application of biotechnology in agriculture and so on can be assigned to other bodies/ministries for consideration.

C. Ramesh

Keeramangalam (TN)

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in