The Karnataka State Red Gram Growers’ Association has demanded that the State government should expand the existing Karnataka Red Gram Development Board and rechristen it as the Karnataka State Pulses Development Board.
Further, it should take up comprehensive development of pulses’ cultivation and improve marketing avenues for pulses through value addition in processing.
Association president Basavaraj Ingin and secretaries V.B. Karaddi and Mallikarjun Patil Hulagera told presspersons in Kalaburagi city on Tuesday that the State government had responded positively to the proposal mooted by the association last year. A consultant was also appointed to prepare a detailed action plan.
He said, “However, the State government developed cold feet later and kept the proposal pending.”
Mr. Ingin said establishing of a pulses board would help the farmers involved in the cultivation of pulses in 11 districts of the State and help the state to increase production of pulses. The board should be empowered to take up processing of pulses and help in marketing the finished product in the market.
“The Cabinet during its November 28 meeting in Kalaburagi city should take a positive decision of establishing the pulses board as a gift to the people of north Karnataka,” he added.
He reiterated the association’s demand for fixing the procurement price of red gram at Rs. 6,000 per quintal this year.
Last year, the government had fixed the procurement price of red gram at Rs. 5,000 per quintal as against the Minimum Support Price of Rs. 4,300 fixed by the Union government.
