Form farmer-producer societies
Refer to ‘Farmers lose out’; studies by the RBI experts show that the traders skim away the lion’s share of gains from the sale of vegetables and fruits and the farmers are left with a meagre part of it. Vegetables and fruits are perishable items and in the absence of adequate storage facilities, farmers are forced to go for distress sale of their produce. The policies encourage construction of warehouses for traders and seldom talk about their need for farmers. There is an urgent need to form more farmer-producer societies at the village level and construct warehouses. There is a need for regular supply and demand analysis and the trade polices need to be adjusted accordingly. Insurance of crops is necessary so that farmers are compensated for losses suffered due to the vagaries of weather.
KR Bharti, Kelti
Income gap in agriculture sector
Apropos of ‘Farmers lose out’; the editorial has shared useful insights into the loopholes in storage, marketing and distribution of fruits and vegetables. As a result, farmers don’t get adequate prices and are facing losses. Farmers, being the producers, ought to gain the most from the sale of their produce. This will get them the right price and help them move to better technologies and equipment in farming. The government should make strong efforts to bridge the income gap in the agriculture sector.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali
Engage cautiously with Maldives
With reference to ‘Muizzu in India’; it is premature to judge whether President Muizzu’s recent pro-India statements stem from economic necessity or other motivations. After campaigning on a ‘China in, India out’ platform, Muizzu’s assurances raises concerns about his reliability. From the perspective of international relations, Maldives cannot afford to alienate India for long. A strong alignment with China could isolate it from both India and Western powers. The Indian EAM visited Maldives recently, and economic diplomacy may have prompted the country to soften its stance, presenting India with an opportunity to enhance its national security and economic interests. However, engagement must be tempered with caution, given the Maldives’ shift towards China.
K Kumar, Panchkula
Review India’s nuclear options
Apropos of ‘China ups the nuclear ante’; the article highlights the urgent need for India to reassess its nuclear strategy in light of China’s aggressive arsenal expansion. China’s recent missile tests suggest a deviation from its previously stated ‘no first use’ policy, signalling a growing threat to India. As Beijing fortifies its nuclear capabilities, India must rethink its own ‘no first use’ stance. Strengthening our deterrence and modernising our defence systems are crucial to safeguarding national interests. If China can modify its policy to strike pre-emptively, India, too, must consider recalibrating its nuclear strategy to remain prepared in this increasingly volatile environment.
Chanchal S Mann, Una
Make budgetary provisions
Refer to ‘How the IAF has strengthened India’s strategic edge’; the IAF’s role in humanitarian and rescue missions is laudable and the induction of Tejas will provide a long-awaited boost to its combat strength. However, it requires a serious upgrade to counter potential threats from belligerent neighbours. Over the years, successive IAF chiefs have expressed grave concern over the dire shortage of fighter squadrons. Beijing has been ramping up its air capability by inducting indigenously built advanced fighter jets, including a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, though the effectiveness of its air power is yet to be tested. With around half of India’s defence expenditure used up in paying salaries and pensions, the government needs to make special budgetary provisions for defence infrastructure.
Chander Shekhar Dogra, Jalandhar
Honouring goals of the people
The triumph of the Congress in the in the J&K signifies a turning point in the political history of the area and a move towards a democratic and inclusive future. The victory has profound implications for the political landscape of India as a whole as well as for the people. This win was the result of the Congress party’s campaign, which was distinguished by its message of harmony, peace and progress, which resonated with the public. The Congress prioritised re-establishing democratic procedures and stressed the value of honouring the goals of the people.
Varun Vijay, Jammu
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