The Hindu : Karnataka News : Growers seek insurance on pomegranate crop

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Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Growers seek insurance on pomegranate crop

Staff Correspondent

Bagalkot: The pomegranate growers staged dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office under banner of the Karnataka Rajya Dablimbe Belegarara Sangha urging the Government to meet their demands, including crop insurance facility to pomegranate on par with Kolar and Bijapur district growers under a pilot programme.

Sangha president K.L. Bilakeri said the growers are suffering as blight disease has affected pomegranate which is a major horticulture produce in the district.

The Government should come to their rescue by releasing the district’s share of Rs. 12,500 under Good Management Package (GMP) system.

He said the GMP Package began in 2006-07 under which the every hectare would get funds of Rs. 50,000 per hectare in which Rs. 25,000 would be given by the Union Government, Rs. 12,500 by the State Government and the remaining Rs. 12,500 by growers.

He alleged that the State Government has not released its share of amount since 2006-07.

Loan waiver

The protesters also demanded that loan waiver facility should be extended to pomegranate growers on par with coffee growers. A memorandum in this regard was submitted to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa through Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shobha Karandlaje.

The agitation was led by sangha vice-president G. Rudragouda, secretary Ravi Udagatti and treasurer Shivanna Angadi.

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