Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s approval to constitute a ‘Think Tank’ for agriculture sector would act as a bridge between the farmers and the policy makers to redress the problems faced by the farming community, which forms the backbone of primarily agrarian economy of the state.The move was historic as for the first time the farmers would have an official say in the drafting of the policies related to agriculture and its allied activities. This proposed organization, on lines of FICCI, CII and others for industrial and commerce sector, was all set to act as catalyst for promoting agriculture and allied farming sector. To be constituted with the representatives of agro-experts, progressive farmers and others this upcoming organization would be exclusively a farmers’ organization that would mull over the various aspects related to the welfare of the peasantry besides suggesting ways and means to the policy makers for making agriculture a far more profitable venture.
The new farmer friendly platform will have complete autonomy to sort out varied issues related to the welfare of peasantry including creation of awareness amongst farmers for adopting the latest farm practices and assured marketing support for purchase of their produce at remunerative prices without any exploitation. The progressive farmers from agriculture and allied farming like dairy, fisheries, honey, piggery, floriculture, horticulture etc. as representatives of this farmers’ chamber would have a fixed term so that maximum number of such progressive farmers could be accommodated in rotation so that they could espouse the cause of farmers to their satisfaction in a free and fair manner.
The proposed organization would continuously dwell on the various issues confronted by the agriculture sector, policies of agriculture across the globe with thrust of national agriculture policy and that of various states besides issues of production, marketing and research.Like various industrial chambers this farmer’s chamber would appropriately suggest the steps that the state and Centre government must take for ensuring the well being of farmers at every cost. Similarly this organization would act as a custodian of the rights of the farmers by raising the farmers issues at the various levels.This ‘Think Tank’ would be provided with necessary infra structure support including space for official accommodation and the state government has already zeroed in space at SAS Nagar (Mohali) for setting the office of this organization. Likewise the organization would also be granted a corpus fund by the state government to make this upcoming organization self sustainable and economically viable. The entire purpose of setting up of this ‘Think Tank’ was to ensure that well being of the farmers was ensured through extensive research and deliberations between the farmers and the policy makers.