MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai slammed the State government of deceiving maize farmers by failing to open procurement centres despite repeated announcements. He demanded that procurement centres be established in every taluk headquarters, noting that nearly 80 per cent of farmers in North Karnataka cultivate maize, reported Deccan Chronicle.
Speaking to the media in Haveri, Bommai said the State had produced around 54 lakh metric tonnes of maize this season. However, more than a month after the Chief Minister announced procurement, not a single centre had been opened, he alleged, accusing the government of neglecting maize farmers across nearly 20 districts.
“Though the government announced it would procure 10 lakh metric tonnes of maize, it has managed to procure very less. No funds have been released and no procurement agencies have been appointed. Simply asking private traders to buy maize will not help. Opening procurement centres is the only way to protect farmers from injustice,” he said.
Bommai said registered farmers have brought their produce in tractors and are waiting, while delays have resulted in loss of weight and damage to maize still lying in the fields.
Later, Bommai, along with Bharath Bommai, visited farmers staging a dharna at the Tahsildar’s office in Shiggaon town, demanding the opening of a maize procurement centre. He declared that the agitation would continue until a procurement centre is opened in Shiggaon. Pointing out that maize is grown over 16 lakh hectares in the State, yielding about 54 lakh metric tonnes, Bommai said farmers are facing severe financial distress. He alleged that ethanol companies are purchasing maize through middlemen instead of directly from farmers and questioned whether the government was favouring ethanol factories over cultivators.
Stating that maize is cultivated by nearly 80 per cent of farmers and that the Centre provides a minimum support price, Bommai said procurement is the responsibility of the State government. He noted that while the government has held meetings with sugarcane growers, it has not convened a single meeting with maize farmers from 20 districts. Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister, Bommai said his government had procured every grain of maize from farmers at the Shiggaon APMC when prices crashed and had taken action against agents who attempted to interfere. He also cited his role in overseeing fertiliser distribution during shortages.
“I have stood with farmers earlier and will continue to stand with them till the end of my life,” he said. Dismissing attempts to politicise the issue, Bommai said farmers belong to no political party and that all governments depend on their support. He added that he would meet the Deputy Commissioner and press for an immediate announcement on the opening of a maize procurement centre in Shiggaon.
