Date:13/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/13/stories/2007091359591500.htm

National

Insurance for farmers on anvil, says Manmohan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Wednesday that the government was committed to offering insurance to farmers against risk and was considering a loan insurance scheme to mitigate risk for indebted farmers.

Speaking to a delegation of the Bhartiya Kisan Union and the Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements led by Mahendra Singh Tikait, Dr. Singh said the government was committed to ensuring livelihood security for the farmers and food security for all.

“The government will safeguard the interest of farmers in the World Trade Organisation negotiations. It will not accept any obligations that will hurt our farmers’ interests,” he said.