The ASEAN Agreement and Kerala
There has been little discussion about the ASEAN agreement although the Central government is very keen on its implementation. A number of products produced in Kerala feature on the list that finds mention in the ASEAN agreement.
THERE HAS been little discussion about the ASEAN agreement although the Central government is very keen on implementation of the same. In this era of extreme globalisation, it's a fact that nobody can survive without adaptation. India, the third largest economy in Asia, also faces these problems. The ASEAN agreement is very important from India's perspective since the main objective of the agreement is to compete with China.
China is very strategic to India's manoeuvres. It had already started importing its goods. No product from any part of the world can compete with Chinese products in terms of price. As a result, China has quickly claimed a major pie in the market across the region. If India overlooks this fact, it would be to its own detriment. When we give permission to ASEAN nations to export their goods to India, the interests of farmers and small traders will be put at stake.
Kerala is definitely going to see the worst effects of it since a number of products produced in Kerala feature on the list of the ASEAN agreement - these items include pepper, rubber and coffee. If large-scale import is permitted, it would badly affect the prospects of Indian goods. The farmers of Kerala are already witnessing competition from ASEAN countries. Farmers have been facing a tough time even before this. A majority of farmers have stopped farming altogether and have migrated to Gulf countries. The farmers who remain go through hardships that put their lives at stake. But farmer suicides don't even make the news anymore.
Poor rains and the indiscriminate use of land are two major problems. Apart from that, the UPA government's proposed Food Security Bill is another factor of concern. India is slowly emerging as a services hub, and our food production is falling. If we consider this, the ASEAN agreement is a good step froward in the right direction. By importing food and other items, the government can control the price hike. But the government should also consider the interests of the poor farmers and small-scale traders as well. In Kerala, they have already started protesting against the agreement. State and central governments should consider these issues seriously and should do everything to protect their interests and save farmers from suicide.
Minimum price guarantee and subsidies are the two measures that can be taken in this regard. State policies should be in favour of farmers and should put pressure on the Centre to protect the farmers of the State.
Kerala is definitely going to see the worst effects of it since a number of products produced in Kerala feature on the list of the ASEAN agreement - these items include pepper, rubber and coffee. If large-scale import is permitted, it would badly affect the prospects of Indian goods. The farmers of Kerala are already witnessing competition from ASEAN countries. Farmers have been facing a tough time even before this. A majority of farmers have stopped farming altogether and have migrated to Gulf countries. The farmers who remain go through hardships that put their lives at stake. But farmer suicides don't even make the news anymore.
Poor rains and the indiscriminate use of land are two major problems. Apart from that, the UPA government's proposed Food Security Bill is another factor of concern. India is slowly emerging as a services hub, and our food production is falling. If we consider this, the ASEAN agreement is a good step froward in the right direction. By importing food and other items, the government can control the price hike. But the government should also consider the interests of the poor farmers and small-scale traders as well. In Kerala, they have already started protesting against the agreement. State and central governments should consider these issues seriously and should do everything to protect their interests and save farmers from suicide.
Minimum price guarantee and subsidies are the two measures that can be taken in this regard. State policies should be in favour of farmers and should put pressure on the Centre to protect the farmers of the State.
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