On Himachal visit, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait speaks up for apple growers

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 28

“Himachal is a perfect example of how big companies like Adani Agrifresh, which entered the hill state 10 years ago and built cold stores, are cheating farmers by offering lower prices for apple,” said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait here today.

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Addressing mediapersons, he said that the prices of apple had dropped to Rs 16 per kg and the growers were unhappy. They needed protection and also subsidy to transport their produce.

He said that the farmers were agitating against three agriculture laws for the past nine months and if the Central Government does not take them back, the agitation will spread to state capitals and Shimla will also boil like Delhi”.

He invited the farmers of the state to attend the mahapanchayat to be held in Muzaffarnagar on September 5. He said a strategy to pressure the Central Government to take back the laws would be chalked out.

He said that the Union Government should announce the minimum support price for all crops, including vegetables and fruits, besides milk.

Tikait said, “We are coordinating with village samitis and NGOs to unite farmers, who are divided on party lines. It is high time that the farmers come together to fight for their rights”.

Meanwhile, the demand and supply decides the price of apples and not any company. Rakesh Tikait is trying to mislead farmers and spoil the environment in the country and Himachal, said BJP state spokesperson Baldev Tomar here today.

“Small farmers are being given the utmost priority in the agricultural policies of the country. With this spirit, in the past few years, serious efforts have been made to provide convenience and security to the small farmers,” Tomar said in a press note issued here.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Rs 100,060 crore had been given to farmers so far. Out which, Rs 1 lakh crore was transferred to the bank accounts of the small farmers during the pandemic period. More than two crore Kisan Credit Cards were issued during the pandemic, he added.