Why Consumers should take note of the TN Agricultural Council Act 2009

Few years back when a business magazine did a survey of urban consumers across the country, Chennai consumer was rated as the 'most informed' consumer in India. I take it that it means that the Chennai consumers have some more knowledge of what they buy and where it comes from than those in other cities.

Increase in Risk for Organic Farmers: Consumers in Chennai have been buying organic food from self-certified organic farmers and organic food promoting agencies for some time now, this works on a wonderful 'i know you and trust you' principle in a way bringing back the relationship between the retailer and consumer that is being lost through the spread of plasticised super markets. Much of this organic food comes from farmers who learn, share and practice organic farming through interaction and working with other farmers like themselves. They may no longer be permitted to do so and cannot share their knowledge, or at least not do so as an 'agricultural service'! This will make organic farming a riskier proposition as much of organic farming is dependent on free flow of information between farmers and farming groups.

No Prescribed Standards for Agricultural Service Providers: A medical council or a Bar council is meant for the practitioners of that vocation, while agricultural council is not meant for agriculture practitioners, rather, for those who provide service to farmers!! If this itself is not ridiculous, the other council's prescribe rules and standards for those practitioners, while this council only prescribes regulatory procedure for those who may feign to be council members and those who are not members, but, may practice such services. So, your kitchen garden consulting service provider (that is included in the list of services) cannot be taken to court if you find his recommendations to be not working or bringing in dangerous pests to your backyard.

New Labels and New Confusions: Every new label from the commercial industry lobby results in throwing up more confusion for the consumer. We are all aware of various 'medical associations' that recommend a particular brand off tooth paste or soap or whatever on television. In several cases these are promoted for the purpose of such advertisements only. However, as a consumer, it adds to our 'informed' choice and confusion. A confused consumer at the cash counter is a gullible choice for producers rather than a questioning consumer. So, more labels and more confusions are, 'acchha hai'! However, it is for the consumer to choose whether such new councils which make exclusive clubs of certain degree holders be permitted with the privileges that the government wants to bestow it with. Do you want the future of your food be determined by a limited number of degree holders from limited number of colleges or would you want it to be spread to include those who also know the traditional knowledge and may practice agriculture and share their knowledge with others though they may not be qualified with certain degrees.

Famous for being Agricultural Teachers, cannot teach any longer: Prof. Sultan Ismail is a renowned soil biologist from Chennai and one of the most liked teachers of vermicology (and holds the copyright on that name), however, he cannot teach the same to farmers any longer, because his degrees are not recognized for him to be registered as a agri council member. So also, will be Dr. Vijayalakshmi of Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems our foremost expert in bio-pesticides sought after by even the government departments. Bernard Declarq, the experienced organic farming teacher from Auroville has taught farming to many organic farmers from across the state, now, he may be fined or imprisoned. Selvam, Gomathinayagam, Anthonisamy, Sundarraman, Panchagavyam fame Dr. Natarajan and many others cannot any longer teach organic farming as they will be disqualified by law to be members of the Agri. Council.

As a consumer, some of the best agricultural knowledge and talent in the state may no longer be available for your benefit. That is what this Act prescribes.

Consumers choice, anyone.