It may be SAZ against SEZ in Uttarakhand

Amid reports that a large chunk of agri land has fallen into the hands of land builders and industrialists in Uttarakhand, the state government is contemplating special agriculture zone (SAZ) to protect agriculture.

"We want to protect agriculture, for which we want to bring SAZ in Uttarakhand," said state Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

However, Rawat made it clear that the idea of SAZ was not being mooted to replace the much contentious special economic zone (SEZ).

For the purpose, Rawat said, he had asked experts from Pantnagar Agriculture University to prepare a blueprint of SAZ.

But it was not immediately known whether SAZ would form a part of the new agriculture policy, which is being discussed by the government.

The government is bringing the new agriculture policy to clear whether the agri land can further be given for SEZ and other industrial purposes.

Significantly, the decision to bring a new agriculture policy comes close on the heels of Nandigram episode in West Bengal where the Left-Front government is facing the wrath.

"Our main aim is to protect agriculture land, which is falling in the hands of land mafia and builders," Rawat said.

The government has also toughened laws pertaining to purchase of revenue land in the state by amending present laws.

In the new agri policy, the government would focus on setting up of more mandis across the state, particularly in the hilly areas where farmers don't get fair price for their yields. "The new policy would safeguard the interest of both farmers and consumers," the minister said.

Contract farming would be promoted, he said adding the role of agents would be minimised so that farmers could get much better price for their produce.

Special sops like electricity and water supply and seeds at cheap rates would be provided to farmers, he added. In addition to this, toll free call centres for farmers would also be set up across the state.