Indian Farmers' day, 19th December 2007, Mangalore

The Indian Farmers Day was organized in 2007 on December 19th at Mangalore.  This year the organizing team which mainly consisted of organizations working on the agrarian issues in South India ( Thanal from Kerala, CREATE from Tamilnadu along with other groups in various S.I states) decided to conduct the Day at Mangalore because we wanted to highlight and demonstrate the strength and solidarity of the Farmers and Civil society organizations on one of the most critical issues of today.  That is the Land, Livelhood of the farming population and the threat of the Special Economic Zones and other such industrial development programmes.

December 19th, was great event in the history of the Mangalore district. Around 2000 farmers and other city based social and environmental groups assembled at Bharat Scouts and Guides Bhavan, Mangalore to celebrate the day and discuss the problems of farmers and agriculture in the country. The focus of the event was land and agriculture.  More than 50 organizations across the country declared their solidarity and many of them also participated in the meeting, rally and the public meeting. 

At 10. A.M. – Inauguration of Exhibition cum sale of farm products was done by Rev. Fr. Edwin Pinto, Mr. Devinder Sharma and Dr. D C Chouta by pouring paddy into a vessel.  Inaugural address was given by Rev. Fr. Edwin Pinto, a pioneer in  organic farming,  He reiterated that the regions like Dakshina Kannada and Udupi should retain its original agricultural base since they are ecologically sensitive.  No SEZs or industries should be allowed and all development should revolve around agriculture, with out any displacement of farmers and agriculture workers.

After the inauguration, the symposium on Agriculture- Farmer, Land and Environment- started. Mr. Devinder Sharma stated that by  2015, 400 million farmers will be displaced from  agriculture if the trend of neglecting agriculture and farmer continues . And that will be the biggest displacement which the country witness in her history. Direct income support is what is needed for farmers and the country  should be ready to provide this to the farmers. We all want farmers service and hence they should be protected. Shri Vijay Javandhiya, farmer leader from Vidharbha stated that in Mahathma Ghandhi’s nation his policies are being killed. Japan levies 1000% tax for import of rice. But our govt. bans export of rice when prices rise in international market. It was concluded that the Farmers should be included in 6th pay commission. Prof S Duraisingam from FEDCOT, Tamilnadu, the largest consumer federation in the country said that food security will be a major problem  if agriculture land is converted for other economic activities. Consumer forums in the country should support conservation of land and water. He also said that traditional food production will be affected by uncontrolled imports. A fair price of production cost and a mark up of 50% given to the formers. All the leaders supported the cause of farmers in opposing SEZs. Dr. Nammalwar, Organic Farming scientist and farmer movement leader stated that our farming systems are of superior quality. Currently we are exporting more than seven commodities European Union, including food items. After 60 years of Independence the whole country is in crisis and danger. Formers welfare is ignored; suicide of farmers has increased.  Indiscriminate use of  pesticides are polluting river water and drinking water also. Mr. R. Ponnambalam, Mr. Shivaprasad- Kerala-, Mr. V. Ramadas, Mr Nammalwer explained the strategies for organic and sustainable farming. It was suggested that we should keep away from genetically modified (G.M.) crops (cotton) which is more dangerous than the nuclear Bomb. Mr. B K Parameswara Rao on behalf of Nagarika Seva Trust Guruvayanakere expressed full support for the people in fighting to save their land (against SEZ).  Guests were honored by the local farmers with tender coconuts and fruits. Dr. D. Chandrashekar Chowta presided over the seminar, gave a brief translated summery of the guest speakers to the local farmers in the local language, and also showing solidarity with the farmers struggle to save their land. Urbanites, under the auspices of the Citizens Forum and the employees of various Banks and their associations gave support by purchasing the farm produce, that were exhibited from the nearby villages, mainly villages that were notified for the Mangalore SEZ. Around 400 people attended the morning session, followed by lunch.

Afternoon 3 p.m: A rally – led by Farmers started from Bharath scout and guide Bhavan to Urva market ground with about 2,000 people, shouting slogans to save their farm lands. Public Meeting was held at 4.p.m. at Urva market Maidan.  The Meeting was presided over by Mr. Madhukar Amin (President, Krishi Bhoomi Samrakshana Samithi) Speakers were Sri Eesha Vittala Swamiji ( of Shri Kshetra Kemaru) and Sri Kodihalli, Chandrashekara (Karnataka Rajya Raith Sangha-KRRS)  Shri Kemaru Swamiji:- We should live in harmony with nature and not destructing by Hazardous industries such as thermal power plants.  Let us do out little to save our land and farmers. God wills not for give those who are harming others. Sri Kodihalli chandrashekarspeaking on the occasion stated that our land is our right who dares touch our farm land that has sustained us for generations? Corrupt politician and bureaucrats are playing dirty politics for their own selfish interest. United we can fight them and succeed in saving our land. The Presidential address was given by Madhukar Amin. The resolutions were read by Mr.  Mohamad Kunhi-. The following were the main points in the resolution – That farmers will under no circumstance leave their farm land for industrial activities, An immediate de-notification of the MSEZ, Ban G.M. crops and conserve traditional farming.

A number of farmers from Kerala and Tamilnadu also joined in the rally and meetings.

The event was widely covered in the media, and in fact sent jitters through the proponents of the MSEZ.  Even on that day, they sent their people to distribute pamphlets offering money for the lands, and also stuck posters and banners deriding the organizers, as well as prominent speakers like Devinder Sharma. 

In fact, after this event, the solidarity among the members of the various groups fighting the event has been strengthened, and this was the first time they came together to demand "Immediate denotification" of the land notified for MSEZ.  The solidarity of the dwellers in the city of Mangalore towards this issue was also evident, as hundreds came to express it, and buy products from these farmers.  Each of them carried back an understanding that their food is also at stake if the SEZ is allowed. 

The event also brought back to focus the need for farmers to come together form all States for each of these local struggles and strengthen it.  The more the voice, the clearer and focused the demands and the less we compromise or negotiate the better are the prospects for farmers to retail their most valuable possession – land.

Now the struggle has taken a renewed strength and dimension and much more needs to be done in terms of mobilization.  Also the groups that organized it conceded s that it was the first time they were all  organizing such a big and powerful event.  But eventually they showed their real strength.