Kerala has suggested modifications to the draft Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022, and the draft Spices (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022 seeking stronger safeguards for farmers, especially small and marginal growers.
Agriculture Minister P. Prasad conveyed the State's concerns to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in separate letters on the two draft Bills. The rubber Bill's focus on treating the sector as an industry rather than an agriculture-allied sector will adversely affect small and marginal growers, says Mr. Prasad.
In the case of the spices sector, he stresses the need for encouraging close synergy among the spices board, agricultural universities, and the State agriculture departments.
