Kalpetta: Catholic Congress leaders in Wayanad have urged both the central and state governments to adopt a genuinely farmer-friendly approach and frame comprehensive agricultural policies aimed at reviving the sector and improving farmers’ living standards.
Speaking at the inauguration of a dharna staged in front of the Wayanad Collectorate on Friday, Catholic Congress Mananthavady Diocesan President Johnson Thothuthungal said the neglect of farmers’ issues has deepened the crisis in the agricultural community. He emphasized that unless policymakers prioritize farmers’ welfare, rural livelihoods will continue to deteriorate.
The protest was held as part of the Catholic Congress’ observance of August 16 as Farmers’ Fraud Day, highlighting grievances such as the failure to provide fair prices, rising costs, and unchecked hardships faced by cultivators.
Protesters put forward a wide range of demands: immediate steps to end anti-farmer policies at both central and state levels; a permanent solution to the menace of wild animal attacks; restoration of agricultural subsidies; guaranteed fair pricing for farm produce; interest-free bank loans for farmers; strict control of fertilizer prices; relief packages for ginger and banana growers; an increase in the milk procurement price to ₹80 per litre; and raising the Kisan Credit Card loan ceiling from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
The event was presided over by Vice President Renil Kazhuthadiyil. Leaders including Saji Philip, Saju Pulikottil, Thomas Pazhukkala, Saji Ittamundakkal, Johnson Kuttikkattil, Molly Mamoottil, Beena Karimankunnel, and Sunil Palamattom addressed the gathering, voicing strong support for farmers’ rights and warning of continued agitations if demands remain unaddressed.