Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and Hasiru Sene (KRRSHS) today urged the central government to procure additional 5,000 tonnes of black and green gram at the support price and protect farmers' interest in the state.
It also demanded procurement of soyabean at a minimum support price (MSP) as the market rates have fallen sharply.
"Farmers plight has worsened due to fall in prices. We want the Centre to procure more pulses at the MSP. The government should protect the poor farmers," KRRSHS President Mallikarjuna Swamy told PTI.
The Centre's procurement of black and green gram in the state under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) ended on early November. It has procured about 19,000 tonnes against the target of 29,000 tonnes in 90 days, he said.
"Now, they have stopped buying our produce. We request the government to continue the procurement operation till January and buy additional 5,000 tonnes of black and green gram," Swamy said, and added that a representation in this regard has been submitted to the Union Agriculture Ministry.
Swamy, who came with a group of farmers to be part of farmers' protest at Ram Leela maidan, said black gram prices in Karnataka are ruling at Rs 4,200 per quintal, below the MSP of Rs 5,400 per quintal.
Similarly, green gram prices are at Rs 4,100-4,300 per quintal at present, while the MSP is Rs 5,575 per quintal. Soyabean rates in mandis are ruling at Rs 2,400-2,500 per quintal, against the MSP of Rs 3,050 per quintal, he added.
Much of the pulses are grown in Bidar, Gulbarga and Yadgir. The producton has been higher because of good monsoon after three consecutive drought years in the state.
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