Activist says budget is not good for farmers
BENGALURU: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's pro-farmer, pro-rural budget has largely got a thumbs down from farm activists and agriculture experts in Karnataka, a state with 91% of its area reeling under severe drought and a rural economy collapse post-demonetisation.
The state's current agriculture growth rate, despite the drought, is an estimated 4.2%, marginally higher than the 4.1% that Jaitley has projected for the country.
Most crops have failed. A few, like toor, groundnut, onion and copra have had a good harvest, but due to the government's demonetisation, there is a cash crunch and prices have crashed, making liquidity in the rural economy a matter for severe concern.
Farmer activist G Mallesh said: “What is the use of Rs 10 lakh crore credit limit announced in the budget, when the banks don't give it to the farmers? As for increase in insurance coverage, my district of Chamarajanagar is 100% under drought, but insurance companies have not given us any compensation at all. The rural economy has collapsed, so much more needs to be done, but that has not been tackled.“
Social scientist Narendar Pani said: “Because demonetisation has failed, they have had to take up MNREGA as a quick fix bandaid.“
The state's current agriculture growth rate, despite the drought, is an estimated 4.2%, marginally higher than the 4.1% that Jaitley has projected for the country.
Most crops have failed. A few, like toor, groundnut, onion and copra have had a good harvest, but due to the government's demonetisation, there is a cash crunch and prices have crashed, making liquidity in the rural economy a matter for severe concern.
Farmer activist G Mallesh said: “What is the use of Rs 10 lakh crore credit limit announced in the budget, when the banks don't give it to the farmers? As for increase in insurance coverage, my district of Chamarajanagar is 100% under drought, but insurance companies have not given us any compensation at all. The rural economy has collapsed, so much more needs to be done, but that has not been tackled.“
Social scientist Narendar Pani said: “Because demonetisation has failed, they have had to take up MNREGA as a quick fix bandaid.“
