The
'Call of the Countryside'
For a
change,
the government has finally decided to address the issue of farmars
suicides - at least for the Vidarba region of Maharshtra. This came
after the Agriculture Minister finally had to accept in Parliament that
in the period 1998 -2003, there were 43 farmer suicides very day -
atotal of hundred thousand deaths across the country.But there are
other issues besides farmer suicides, which undoubtedly are an
indication of a deep rooted crisis in the countryside.
It
appears
that poicy makers are now taking cognisence of these isses in
formulating approrite policies. The shift in policy from over emphasis
on production to farmer incomes is one such step. But this might lead
to excessive corporatisation of agriculture, which may not solce the
problems of the indian farmers, especially the poor and marginal ones.
There are
other
issues,like access to seeds, markets and credit and irrigation that
need to be looked into. Finally,it is the question of survivalof the
bulk of the peasantry that is at stake.
Highlights
|
- The 'Call of the Countryside'
- Food for the Poor
- India Shining
- World Urban Forum
- Enclaves for Profit
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FOOD & AGRICULTURE
<Related
Articles - JUNE 2006 issue> |
- Is
all Well in India's agriculture?,
 K.P.Prabhakaran
Nair, The Indian
Express, Bombay, 7th June 2006
- Why
do farmers have to die?, Sunita
Narain, Down To Earth Magazine,
15th June 2006
- Vidharbha:
slowing down the suicides,
P.Sainath,
The Hindu, Madras, 12th June
2006
- Cotton
imports led to farmers suicide: Report,
Surinder
Sud, The Business
Standard, Bombay, 6th June 2006
- National
Commision obtains feedback from farmer achievers, S.Dorairaj,
The
Hindu, Madras, 28th June 2006
- Draft
national policy for farmers is a good begining,Sourav
Mishra, Down
To Earth, 15th June 2006
<OTHER
ARTICLES RELATED TO FOOD & AGRICULTURE>
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IN
FOCUS
The
Agriculture Minister
finally had to accept in Parliament that
in the period 1998 -2003, there were 43 farmer suicides very day -
atotal of hundred thousand deaths across the country.But there are
other issues besides farmer suicides, which undoubtedly are an
indication of a deep rooted crisis in the countryside.
|
FOOD
& AGRICULTURE |
Women in
Uniform
The suicide of a
female army officer and the subsequent comments by a senior officer
that the army could do without women brings to the fore the problems of
our women in uniform.
|
GENDER
& WORK |
Food for the
poor
Recent proposals by the
Ministry headed by Mr Sharard Pawar will undermine the very idea
of a Public Distribution system and providing for food security.
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FOOD
SECURITY |
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Forests and People
The rights of forest dwelling tribes and the recommendations of Forest
commision are in direct conflict.
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COMMON
PROPERTY RESOURCES
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India
Shining?
For some the period since
the 1991 reforms has never been better. But for many others it is not
shining at all, they never had it so bad.
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GLOBALISATION |
Prelude to
failure
The Doha round of multilateral trade
negotations - to finalise the modalities in agricultural and
non-agricultural market access seems to be haeding for failure.
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WORLD
TRADE ORGANISATION |
World Urban
Forum
For the
first time in history, more than half the populations on planet earth
will be in urban centres, most of them in slums and shanties.
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URBANISATION
|
Enclaves for
Profit
The First chapter in teh new phenomenon
called Special Economic Zones (SEZ) is unfolding across India now and
may lead to utter chaos and distress.
|
LIBERALISATION |
Judiciary
in
Focus
Recent judgements do not reflect the
concerns taht seemed to characterise judgements of the previous two
decades.
|
LAW
& JUDICIARY
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NGOs and
Social Change
Whom do the NGOs represent, who determines
their agendas and finally some issues about the manner in which they
manage their finances.
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CIVIL
SOCIETY |
UPDATES
Rehab Politics
The need to have
a natioanl Rehabilitation Policy was never so urgent, but within, the
policy makers seem to be lost in a maze of Commities and
recommendations.
Providing Security
The
chairperson of the National Commision for Enterprises in the
Unorganised Sector talks about the need to provide social security to
362 million workers.
Mitigating Migrant Woes
Labour who cross borders to make a living also contribute to the
country to which they have migrated to. They need to be provided with
security and above all social dignity.
Employment Gaurantee
The implementation of NREGs requires the co-operation of both the state
and central governments.
Peace Moves
Recent moves by the Maoists in Nepal to extend cooperation in restoring
democracy in Nepal is a landmark development.
Council in Session
The Human Rights Council of the United Nations, which replaces the
Commission on human Rights, will has its first meeting in Geneva with
47 members.
Latino Moves
Bolivian President Evo Morales is taking some brave initiatives, what
will their impact for the future be?
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DISPLACEMENT
LABOUR
LABOUR
RURAL
EMPLOYMENT
NAXALITES
HUMAN
RIGHTS
ALTERNATE GLOBALISATION
|
CAMPAIGN
Support
indefinite fast since 27th June 2006
Romance With Right To Information: Indian Scene
Time
to get the right answers
|
COKE
RIGHT TO INFORMATION
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Last
Page
Lucky:
Creatures of Merit
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