State budget: CM urged to keep farmers’ interest in view

Mysuru: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene state unit president Badagalapura Nagendra on Friday asked the Karnataka govt to initiate measures for the promotion of agriculture and allied activities to protect the interests of farmers, as the state stands second in the country in farmers' suicide cases.Speaking to reporters, he said the KRRS requested CM Siddaramaiah to fulfil 13 demands of farmers during the pre-budget consultative meeting held with farmers on Feb 17 in Bengaluru.
The KRRS requested the govt to initiate measures to prevent farmers' suicides by taking proactive steps, such as protecting the interests of tobacco growers, as a large number of them cultivate the commercial crop in Husnur, Periyapatna and Nanjangud in Mysuru district, Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district, and Araalgud in Hassan district. Tobacco growers are upset over the fall in tobacco prices, he said.Nagendra said he urged the govt to buy ragi, jowar, tur dal and millets after providing MSP, and distribute them under the public distribution system.He stressed the need to promote natural farming and integrated farming practices to increase farmers' livelihood income by making announcements in the upcoming budget.Farmers face a lot of hardships due to land issues, which he stressed should be addressed to extend succour to the farming community.The KRRS also appealed to the state govt to bring changes to the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act to acquire land for the construction of houses in rural areas. This law facilitates the govt acquiring land from farmers for development works, and development of national highways and railways, but not for the construction of houses in rural areas.Nagendra also condemned the limited safaris at Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves.