Indopia | July 31,2009

FTA with ASEAN will affect farm sector: Kisan Sabha

Kochi , July 30 — Maintaining that the agriculture sector would be hit hard if the country implemented the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN, All India Kisan Sabha today urged the Opposition Congress in Kerala to oppose the proposed treaty in the interest of state farmers.

India would not be able to compete with other ASEAN nations in cash crops like rubber, coconut, pepper, coffee, tea, cashew, coir and marine product, Sabha general secretary Sathyan Mokeri told reporters here after attending a state council meeting of the Kisan Sabha.

"We should stand unitedly against the ASEAN free trade pact, otherwise the agricultural sector will be badly affected,"he said.

The Sabha would hold meetings protesting the agreement on August 7 in over 1,000 centres across the state, he added.