Infam celebrates 25th anniversary with a slew of programmes

The Indian Farmers Movement (Infam), a farm organisation founded under the guidance of the Catholic Church, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday. To mark the silver jubilee, a public meeting and rally were held in Kattappana town in Idukki.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan inaugurated the public meeting, at which he raised the concerns of the farming community. “Farmers are struggling with an increase in wild animal attacks. Wild boars, elephants, and monkeys are posing a serious threat to both the lives and property of our farmers,” he said.

The meeting was presided over by Mar Jose Pulickal, Bishop of the Kanjirappally Eparchy under the Syro-Malabar Church and Infam’s Idukki district patron. Infam national secretary Mathew Mamparampil, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, and Kattappana municipal chairman Joy Vettikkuzhi, among others, attended the meeting.

Organisers said thousands of farmers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh participated in the rally. The event was officially flagged-off at Kattappana town by Infam national chairman Fr. Thomas Mattamundayil.

As part of the year-long silver jubilee celebrations, Infam plans to honour 1,500 farmers who have reached the age of 75. This initiative, titled “Veer Kisan Bhoomipathra,” will be held at the Marian College auditorium at Kuttikkanam on January 20. A farmers’ meet will be held at the St. Mary’s parish hall at Podimattam, Kanjirappally, on January 27.

Founded in 2000, Infam was established to protect the interests of farmers and address the evolving challenges within the agricultural sector. Over the past 25 years, the movement has consistently provided assistance and advocacy for farmers across the State.