Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu hopeful of early end to farmers' stir

Hyderabad: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed hope that a reasonable solution will be found on the issues raised by the agitating farmers.

Speaking at the awards ceremony jointly organised by Rythu Nestham and Muppavarapu Foundation at the Swarna Bharat Trust in Muchintal on Wednesday, he referred to the media reports on the demands of the agitating farmers and the response of the representatives of the central government and added that he saw possibility of a certain meeting ground. Naidu pointed out that restriction-free marketing of farm produce has been a long-standing demand which he himself had articulated several times. Observing that the country's development is closely tied with farmer's progress, he compared farmers' compassion with that of a mother.

"Both the centre and state governments should work as 'Team India' in addressing the needs of the farmers. Apart from ensuring remunerative prices, the farmers should be provided with timely and affordable credit. There is also a need to increase cold storage facilities and godowns at all levels.

As a matter of fact, every tehsil must have a cold storage facility. If we support our farmers, India would not only be food secure, but would also be able to feed the world. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is progressing steadily towards doubling the farmers' income by 2022 through a number of schemes such as the Soil Health Card, Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Crop Insurance. There should be change in perspective towards agriculture and youth should become proactive partners in promoting it," the vice president added.

Naidu handed over life achievement award to Prof Sarvareddy Venkureddy and Krishi Ratna award to Brigadier Pogula Ganesha apart from awards given away to farmers, extension officers, scientists, agricultural journalists and producers of short films on agriculture.