PESHAWAR: Speakers at a media sensitisation workshop on Friday stressed the need for equitable distribution of agricultural land and water among the people to bring an end to capitalism and feudalism in the country to overcome the issues pertaining to food insecurity.

They insisted land reforms had become extremely necessary, mainly under the current circumstances, where the elected assemblies were working to support the ‘agenda’ of multinational companies by approving new laws.

The workshop was organised by Pakistan Mazdoor Kissan Tehreek (PMKT) in collaboration with NGO Roots for Equity at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday.

Representatives of print, electronic and broadcast media attended the event in large numbers.

Experts reject seed bill saying it goes against small growers’ interests

Those spoke on the occasion include, PMKT general secretary Wali Haider, PMKT social organiser Asif Khan and Malik Rab Nawaz, Gohar and Osama from Roots for Equity.

Wali Haider said the issue of the growing food insecurity could only be tackled by ensuring equal distribution of agricultural land and irrigational water among small growers, chiefly among landless people, through effective land reforms in the country.He said according to a report of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, around one billion people in the world faced acute hunger and malnutrition, while the official figures suggested 50 per cent of the country’s population lived below the poverty line.

The PMKT general secretary said 70 per cent people were in need of food and therefore, their children had the only option to search whatever leftover eatable items they could find in garbage dumps.

He stressed the need for equal distribution of agricultural land among landless farmers, saying the successive governments had failed to introduce an efficient land reform policy and therefore, multinational companies had tightened their control on the country’s affairs.

Wali Haider said farmers were denied rights due to the government’s indifference.

“We need to free the country from the clutches of feudal lords, which can only be made possible through an organised movement to be supported by people of all segments of the society,” he said.

The PMKT general secretary expressed reservations about the tabling of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Seed Bill 2014 and said the proposed law was an attempt of the government to deprive small growers of food.

“If the bill is approved, the provincial government will force farmers to purchase seeds from multinational companies instead of preserving seeds of various crops and vegetables through traditional methods,” he said.

Wali Haider voiced concern about the idea of imposing agriculture and seed taxes in the province and said the government should ensure protection of the rights of small growers in consultation with stakeholders before making such moves.

He said a sustainable agriculture policy should be formulated, while efforts should be made for the capacity building of small, poor farmers.

“Small growers should be equipped with modern farming techniques and harvesting tools,” he said.

Other experts complained feudal lords along with capitalists were exploiting workers and farmers and therefore, local communities should be given the control of their natural resources.

They demanded effective end to exploitative policies of feudal lords and capitalists through legislation as well as equal distribution of farmlands.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2014