Former BJP president Rajnath Singh moved a resolution on agriculture at the party’s national executive meeting here on Thursday demanding more financial assistance from the Centre for farmers, agricultural loans at one per cent interest rate, tax exemption for agricultural equipment and fertilisers and research to improve Indian cow breeds.
The party also moved a resolution on the related issue of drought. It noted with deep concern “the serious drought situation in different parts of the country, more particularly in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Bundelkhand region of UP and MP, which are severely hit by drought”.
The BJP took note of the agrarian crisis facing the country.
“Agriculture in India is not merely an economic activity, but also a source of employment generation for nearly two-thirds of our population,” Mr Singh said.
The party also expressed concern over farmers quitting agriculture because it has become unprofitable with increasing input costs without a corresponding increase in minimum support price. “This has forced the farmers to either quit farming or go on a crop holiday. National Sample Survey Organisation data indicates a growing sentiment that 42 per cent farmers would quit agriculture if given an alternative,” Mr Singh said.
The BJP also alleged that the relief packages given by the government, including the PM relief package in Vidarbha, have failed to deliver any relief.