Venkaiah Urges Governments to Address Farmers' Concerns

Vijayawada: Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has called on both Union and state governments to promptly address the challenges faced by farmers, farmer organisations, and rice millers’ associations for the greater good of the country. Speaking as the chief guest at the Federation of All India Rice Millers Association (FAIRMA) general body meeting in Vijayawada, he stressed the importance of dialogue between the government and stakeholders.

Naidu urged the governments and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to engage in discussions with farmers and rice millers to fully understand and resolve their issues. He emphasized that addressing the farming sector's challenges is a fundamental responsibility of the government, highlighting the vital role that farmers and rice millers play in the nation's economy.

He also criticised the restrictions on the inter-state movement of agricultural products, questioning the need for limitations on rice exports when there are none on imports. “When there are no restrictions on the export and import of any product, what is the necessity of having restrictions on rice exports?” Naidu asked, appealing to the government to lift all export restrictions on rice.

To further this dialogue, Naidu suggested that FAIRMA office bearers and representatives from the rice milling industry across the country engage in detailed discussions regarding their challenges. He assured attendees that he would raise these issues with the Union Government to advocate for necessary reforms.