Hopcoms' chief promises boost to horticulture crops

New initiatives

Speaking at a press meet in Chamarajanagar on Thursday, he said the main objective of the HOPCOMS is to take care of the horticultural farmers. HOPCOMS centres would be opened at all the taluks and steps would be taken to buy vegetables from the farmers, he said.

Fertilisers and pesticides are being sold in black market, which is affecting the ryots.

Hence, fertilisers would be distributed through an outlet from the association itself. The agricultural and horticultural produce would be bought directly from the farmers and an agreement would be made with the inter-state traders and the produce would be despatched.

As the vegetables and produce are purchased directly from the farmers, the interference of the middlemen and agents will be prevented, he said. Discussions are also being held to supply vegetables to the mid-day meals schemes at the schools.

After holding a meeting with the MLAs, MP,s district and taluk panchayat members and district administration a decision would be taken.

Vegetables

He also pointed out though vegetables are grown in rural areas the children here do not consume vegetables. Hence, steps are being taken to supply vegetables to schools under mid-day meals scheme.

Farmers welfare Trust

Hopcoms Farmers Trust would be formed on Mymul model and an accident insurance scheme to cover farmers would also be implemented. Incentives would be given to the children of farmers to encourage them, he said.

Moreover, two farmers would be identified every year and would be felicitated in the annual meeting and stress would be laid to make the Hopcoms a model in the state.

Turmeric is not given support price under national horticultural mission, though it is the major crop in the district. A meeting would be held with the elected representatives on the issue soon, he said.

Director Ravishankar, Purushottam and others were present.