As farmers are struggling to take their produce to markets or directly sell them to consumers amid the lockdown, an agricultural extension expert has suggested measures to tide over the crisis, including launching e-commerce platforms involving farm universities and district-level Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
K. Narayana Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, said farm universities and district KVKs can launch online initiatives to directly link farmers with consumers. “All the districts have Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which will have agricultural experts. They should be immediately involved by the government in launching such marketing initiatives so that farmers can find a solution within their districts,” he told The Hindu . Furthermore, farmers should also be allowed to directly sell to consumers at the panchayat, hobli, taluk and district levels, he said, calling for dedicating playgrounds and school grounds for this.
He said enabling direct sale of produce to consumers may help farmers to get remunerative prices in this time of crisis. He also suggested that the government get more grounds in Bengaluru to facilitate direct sale of produce by farmers.
Expressing concern about farmers dumping their produce, he said such a scenario was a warning to the State as it was an indication that there could be severe shortage of vegetables and fruits in the coming months. “If such incidents increase, then more farmers will opt out of cultivating vegetables and fruits. This is bound to create a shortage, leading to rise in prices,” he said.
