Guwahati, April 2: Speakers at the fifth state convention of the Krishak Sramik Unnayan Parishad (KSUP) here today urged the state government to immediately formulate effective polices for farmers and asked the group to provide inputs in preparing these plans.

Alternative farming methods were also discussed as a way to ensure economic prosperity of farmers as the input costs of paddy cultivation were resulting in less profit for them.

The president of the Assam Sasi Growers' Association, Jiten Kumar Bora, said: " Sasi or agar tree growers in areas like Nahorani and Geleki in Golaghat district and those in Hojai are becoming prosperous. Farmers in some areas of Nagaon district have recently started growing these trees. It takes about 10 years for the tree to mature and give returns. By making an investment of Rs 20, a grower can earn more than Rs 1,000 after 10 years. Unfortunately, there is one problem that has affected sasi cultivation. Cutting of the trees is prohibited due to a law passed by the central government after it was declared an endangered species in 1972. The trade in agar has to be carried on behind the back of the police and forest department. We have been urging the state government to take steps for development of sasi plantation, which has the potential to usher in a revolution for the farming community".

Another panellist in the discussion, senior journalist Adip Kumar Phukan, said: "There have been many agitations supporting the peasants' causes, but a comprehensive movement covering all aspects of their problems has not been undertaken. A proper analysis is necessary to identify all their problems and the Parishad is equipped to do it. Farmers are the backbone of the economy. We should force the government to formulate an effective farmers' policy and a land policy which will benefit them. The government is scared of acting against some land dealers with vested interests. Historically, farmers have been deprived of agricultural land. Prime agricultural land was taken over by the British for tea plantations. The ceiling act was imposed with a view to hand over the excess land to the landless farmers, but it never happened."

"The price of inputs for cultivation of paddy has risen to such a level that farmers are unable to make a profit. The way out of this is alternative farming. A study has to be made for selection of suitable alternative crops or plantations that will change the economic scenario of the agriculture sector. Assam is one of the hotspots for herbal and aromatic plants with around 850 medicinal herbs available here. These are high-value plants and growers will get high returns. Biotechnology is a field in which we can be a leader," Phukan added.