We don’t need package or subsidy, only a fair price: Farmers to government

Belagavi: Crisis-hit farmers have rejected the government’s offer to waive their bank loans and instead demanded payment of a scientific price for their produce at a crucial meeting of farmers and financial institutions organised in Belagavi by the government in wake of continued suicides by farmers across the state.

“We don’t need subsidy nor packages being announced by the government but only a scientific price for our yield. We will be able to lead a decent and peaceful life if we are given a suitable price for our produce,” they said. The farmers also said they will be able to avail good healthcare facilities and ensure good education for their wards if their produce fetches a good price. Many of them were unaware of the government-sponsored schemes launched for them.

Former Union agriculture minister Babagouda Patil Patil said it did not seem like Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was taking initiatives to prevent farmers from committing suicide as neither the Centre nor the state are abiding by the High Court orders. According to him, it is impossible for Belagavi DC, N Jairam to act against money-lenders as they are notorious and farmers who availed loans from them in a crisis are obliged to repay them. Merely 30 per cent of NABARD loans reach farmers, various cooperative societies have stopped giving loans to the poor. The farmers also alleged that the relatives of society directors and the rich were being given loans without any problems.