Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha has urged the State government to set up a coconut and arecanut board with representatives of growers, merchants, officials of Horticultural Department, among others, to frame a price policy. The KRRS said coconut and arecanut growers in 12 districts of the State were in crisis because of low yield, fall in prices and diseases in plantation.
KRRS president K.S. Puttannaiah told reporters here on Saturday that although the State government had announced in its budget that a policy for neera would be framed, it was yet to be materialised. Kerala government had introduced such a policy and extended help to growers in distress, he said. Mr. Puttannaiah wanted the State government to set up a revolving fund and extend assistance and incentive to growers. To oppose the government’s alleged negligent attitude towards coconut and arecanut growers, KRRS has planned a protest on June 28 outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tumakuru.
