The Ballari district unit of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (Puttannaiah group) has urged the State government to establish maize procurement centres for the benefit of farmers.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Goni Basappa, KRRS convenor, Sangankal Krishnappa, taluk unit president, among others, said that the maize crop was now being harvested while the price in the market had come down. To ensure that the farmers did not undergo loss, the State government should immediately take steps to set up maize procurement centres and also start purchasing it at a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹ 1,430 per quintal.
Market price
In the absence of procurement centres, farmers, to meet their commitments, had been forced to sell maize at the market price, ranging between ₹ 900 and ₹ 1,100, they said.
According to them, a farmer incurred an expenditure of ₹ 16,000-₹ 17,000 per acre for a yield ranging between 10 qunitals and 20 quintals, depending upon the availability of water. “If farmers are able to sell their produce at MSP, they would be able to get something in return or they will have to undergo loss,” Mr. Basappa said.
Delay
They took strong exception to the inordinate delay on the part of the insurance companies in giving crop loss compensation for farmers who had availed themselves of the scheme. They threatened to launch an agitation if the State government, through the district administration, failed to initiate steps in getting crop compensation released. They have demanded compensation for the crop loss caused by “army worms”.