NEW DELHI: Indian industry has joined hands with the country’s farmers to create synergy and fuel growth. The new grouping, put in place by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is called the Indian Farmers and Industry Alliance (IFIA).

According to CII vice-president Anand Mahindra, every 3% rise in agriculture economy leads to a 2.6% growth in the manufacturing sector and a 1.6% increase in GDP growth.

"We will freely give to build IFIA and provide it research data, marketing and technical inputs," promised CII director-general Tarun Das.

The link-up with industry would help farmers effectively put across their problems to the authorities and also prepare them for global competition, said farmers leader Chengal Reddy, who plans to network with agricultural groups across the country to promote the alliance.

"Though legislation exists for the farm sector, its implementation is lacking and farmers in remote villages never get to reap the benefits," said Mr Reddy.

"We realise that for farmers to be successful businessmen, they need to be heard by decision makers, have access to latest technology, resources and means to produce and market quality products," said Mr Reddy, who is the president of the Federation of Farmers Associations of Andhra Pradesh and one of the prime movers of IFIA.

"We can immediately forge alliances in the food processing and textile sectors. By having access to industry data, we can help farmers and farm bodies take more informed decisions. Finally it will help farmers to be better businessmen," maintained Mr Reddy.

He said the alliance would be based in New Delhi and would have chapters in every state with representation down to the village level.

"It is only through an agro-industrial revolution that India can hope to transform the rural economy and move out from a bullock cart economy," opined Sundeep Waslekar, president of Mumbai-based think tank Strategic Foresight Group.

The formal launch of the alliance on Wednesday saw agriculture experts, industry representatives and parliamentarians of all hues assuring their full support to the grouping.

Representatives from the BJ P, Telegu Desam Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress party, who are part of the Parliament Member Farmers Forum, voiced optimism that the new body will help Indian farmers realise their potential, put more money in their pockets and help them face global competition.

"Urban India is yet to realise the gravity of the crisis in the agricultural sector, particularly this year duo to the widespread drought," said Mr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh of RJD.

Warning that unless agriculture realised its true potential, India could not achieve its targeted economic growth of 8%, minister of state for textiles Basangouda R Patil said: "In the absence of a lobby for farmers, they are facing a grave crisis. Many are committing suicide due to crop failures."