DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Jammu: Social activst Dr. Preeti Bhagat has said that the government had promised to double the income of the farmers, but looking at the ground reality, far from increasing the income, it is becoming difficult for the farmers to even meet the cost of the crop. Farmers are suffering losses due to inflation and government negligence. Be it labor or diesel expenses or fertilizers and seeds to be applied in the fields, the prices of all have increased. Farmers are also facing double blow due to cost of everyday items to run the family. Since BJP came to power, DAP rates have doubled, wages have increased, prices of diesel, pesticides and seeds have also almost doubled.
The farmers does not even recover the cost of the crop, he becomes disappointed. Something similar is happening with the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir. For farmers, the cost of planting wheat crop is around Rs 2500 to Rs 2700 per kanal, but now wheat is being sold in the market at Rs 2200 to Rs 2300 per quintal. The cost of paddy crop is Rs 4000-4500 per kanal but the crop is sold in the market at around Rs 3400 per quintal. Farmers are facing losses in farming. Even when crops are damaged due to weather or fire, farmers do not get proper compensation. SHe said that the government is not at all serious about improving the condition of the farmers, that is why efforts are being made to crush the farmers’ movement. government should reduce the prices of agricultural items so that farmers can get some relief.