Kochi, Aug. 20 Vadakkencherry Padasekhara Samithi, which is concentrating on organic paddy cultivation in Palakkad and Kuttanad, has requested the Union Agriculture Ministry to lift the blanket ban on rice exports.
The Samithy’s spokesman and Treasurer, Mr R.N.Ramakrishnan, said that the farmers would be forced to give up organic paddy cultivation mid way through if the Government failed to extend the necessary support in the form of export facility for the produce. He expressed reservation in continuing with organic cultivation without matching support from the Government to export the rice as it was found to be difficult to sell the produce in the domestic market due to its enhanced price.
He was speaking at the reception organised here by the Poabs Group in Kochi to honour the farmers who had received the Kerala Government’s Nelkathir (corn ear) award for being adjudged as the State’s best Padasekharam for the year 2007-08.
The award has brought little cheers to the farmers group, which is worried over stockpiling of the previous crop, he said adding that, inconsistency in Governmental policies has driven the organic paddy cultivators in the State in distress following the recent ban on rice exports.
Source : Business Line