CPA recommends equitable prices of crops

The three-day agriculture meet of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concluded here on Friday, while recommending all participating countries to ensure equitable price for agriculture produce and continuing with the minimum support price (MSP) regime for both staple and other crops.

The meet also recommended subsidies on agricultural power, diesel, machinery and agricultural implements to increase accessibility by small farmers. The committee also recommended that international trade policies should be framed to protect the interests of developing counties.

In a concluding resolution adopted on the last day of the conference, delegates from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and observers from Tanzania and Uganda resolved to work for effective and strong agricultural lobbying in all legislative bodies to safeguard the interests of farmers and influence budgetary allocations for the agriculture sector.

The meet recommended that each country must have a broad-based committee on agriculture having representation of all political parties with powers to allocate funds for the agriculture sector.

Seeking more budget allocation for the sector, it was decided that the CPA should play an effective role in ensuring sufficient funds and actively monitor related expenditure. It was also decided to ensure an independent audit of government spending on the sector.

The delegates also expressed concern over the rising toxicity of soils, misuse of pesticides, crop loss due to wild animals, asking participating countries to take effective steps to protect interests of farmers.

They gave a call to policy-makers to play a significant role in the formation of policies for the farm sector, and curb altering agricultural land for non-farm uses such as the real-estate business.