Karnataka sugarcane farmers giving vent to their ire by destroying standing crops
MYSURU: After a string of cases of suicide by farmers of the fertile district of Mandya, sugarcane farmers in distress and debt are giving vent to their ire by destroying standing crops on Monday.
While two farmers destroyed their 15 to 18 month-old standing crops of sugarcane, another farmer used his tractor to cut down his five month-old crop and perhaps plant saplings of other plants. Umesh, 45, of Uppinagere village in Maddur taluk, destroyed sugarcane crop on his small farm because he feared that prices of sugarcane could drop further this year. He plans to plant saplings of paddy as a local sugar factory has not yet paid arrears of Rs 80,000 to him so far.
In another instance of a farmer expressing his ire, Kullegowda, 50, of Bevnalli in Mandya rural police station limits destroyed 15 month-old crop of sugarcane because sugar factories remained closed, and jaggery units were offering only Rs 700 a ton. He owns one acre of land, and has reportedly borrowed Rs 30,000 from a bank and Rs 2.20 lakhs from private money lenders.
In the third instance, Nagaraj, 65, a farmer of Bammur Agrahara of Pandavapura taluk in Srirangapatna police station limits burnt his 18 month-old sugarcane crop on 30 guntas of land, on Monday. While Pandavpura sugar factory still remained closed, jaggery manufacturing units offered him Rs 700 to Rs 800 a ton at a time when he had to repay a loan of Rs 30,000.
Farmers launch march to create awareness
Karnataka Sugarcane Growers Association led by Mr Kurubur Shanthakumar launched a march on Monday to create awareness among farmers and prevent them from taking the extreme step just as one witnessed in Gaanadahosur in Pandavapura taluk. Physically challenged farmer Nanjundaiah from Kunigal taluk launched the march on Monday.
Committee to study farmer suicides, soon
Perturbed over the spate of farmer suicides in the state, Agriculture minister, Krishna Byregowda has announced the setting up of a committee to probe the series of suicides reported since last month. Mr Byregowda said the government was shocked over the sudden spurt in farmer deaths in June.
“We are unable to comprehend the reasons for these suicides. To find the truth, a committee will be set up soon,” he added. He declared that a Vision Group under eminent scientist Dr M.S. Swaminathan will be set up to study the agricultural scenario in the state including problems faced by farmers and suggest solutions for them.
“I have already met Dr Swaminathan on behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah requesting him to head the proposed Karnataka Agriculture Vision Group and he has agreed,'' the minister claimed.
