Farmers, workers rally in Mysuru against ‘corporate takeover' of agriculture

The Hindu

3 days ago

Scores of farmers and activists under the banner of Samyukta Horata Karnataka took to the streets of Mysuru on Wednesday, protesting what they called a systematic 'corporate takeover' of agriculture, rural markets, and public services.
The rally, jointly organised by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha (KPRS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and several allied organisations, began with a march through the city and culminated in a public meeting.
The organisers alleged that the plight of the working class had become difficult under the current dispensation which was pursuing the policy of promoting both communalism and encouraging corporate culture.
Mr. Jagadish Surya, of KPRS said both the Union and State governments were actively enabling multinational corporations (MNCs) and large domestic corporates to dominate every stage of agriculture — from seed production to procurement, storage, transport, and retail trade.
The Samyukta Horata Karnataka activists called for abrogating National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing citing concerns that it was an attempt to help the multinationals. The agitating activists also warned that such policies would privatise farming, push small cultivators into debt, and weaken national food sovereignty.
The protesters strongly opposed the corporatisation of farmers' producer organisations (FPOs), contract farming arrangements, and public–private partnership (PPP) models in agriculture. They argued that such policies undermine traditional farming practices, marginalise smallholders, and increase dependency on corporate-controlled supply chains.
Other key demands raised by SHK legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assured government procurement of crops; complete waiver of farm loans, relief from microfinance companies while it opposed forcible land acquisition from farmers, and privatisation of power sector etc.
The Samyukta Horata Karnataka activists raised slogans against the government and demanded that the MNCs 'quit India'. CITU general secretary G. Jayaram, and others were present.