Describing the decision unilateral and absurd, Minister for Agriculture, Krishna Byregowda has lambasted the Union Government for its decision to stop the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize.
Addressing a presspersons after visiting a toor farm at Angadageri village of Basavanabagewadi taluk on Thursday, he said that the Union Government, perhaps has not done its homework properly before taking such decision.
Mr. Byregowda said that it was the duty and the tradition of any government to ensure a minimum support price given to the farmers for its commodities when its cost falls in the market.
“By depending on MSP, the farmers cultivate crop hoping that the government would come to their rescue to get a decent price for the commodities. In such a condition, the union government without thinking on the repercussions and the effect on the lives of farmers, took the decision not to offer MSP to maize”, the Minister said.
Stating that the State government has asked for clear reason for the decision, he said that the government should have at least given a year's time before making such announcements.
He, however, made it clear that even if the Union Government refuses to announce MSP for maize, the State government was ready to procure the commodity at Rs. 1,310/quintal since the market rate was Rs. 900/quintal.
“We don’t want our farmers to suffer because of the unscientific and illogical decision of the Union Government”, Mr. Byregowda said.
On the occasion, he said that with an objective of popularising modern farming equipments among the farmers and reducing dependency on labours, the State government has decided to set up 186 Seva Kendras this year where farming equipments would be given on rent at a cheaper rate.
Stating that the government had set aside Rs. 70 crore for the project, he said that each Kendra would be given Rs. 75 lakh for purchasing various farming machines.
“The government is aware of the fact that the farmers are facing acute shortage of labours, the usage of machine would reduce time, saves money and encourages the farmers to bring mechanisation in agriculture”, he said.
