Farmers relate woes to planning officials

PUDUCHERRY: The sub-group VIII of the planning commission, led by Dr C Prasad, met farmers at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) here, on Saturday. In the discussion that followed, planning officials took note of the many problems assailing the farmers, which would come up for consideration before the commission and much before the finalisation of the 12th five-year plan.Nine groups had been formed, who going from one region to the other, would get to the bottom of the difficulties faced by the farmers. During such interactive sessions, a couple of issues such as crop insurance schemes, cold storage and transport facilities were highlighted. Women entrepreneurs sought assistance for setting up more firms.The farmers also sought more training programmes regarding the latest scientific techniques used in the agriculture sector.One farmer even complained about the corrupt practices of the agriculture department and criticised the officials for not making field visits to guide them.Other members of the delegation were Swamy Shashankananda, Sadish Pratap Singh, Chetan Thakur, Pratab Gridutta and Dr S V N Rao. A Ramamourti, principal of KVK, welcomed the gathering.