The revolving fund was set up to support farmers, when the prices of the crops crash. “The government funds should have been used for the revolving fund. Instead, the farmers’ funds are being used for the revolving fund,” Nanaiah regretted.

Speaking after inaugurating the auditorium of APMC guest house here on Tuesday, he said that all the three APMCs of Kodagu have paid a sum of Rs 3 crore to the revolving fund, which was collected from the farmers. “This money will not be returned to the farmers. Hence, the government should contribute to the revolving fund and stop collecting funds from the farmers,” he urged and appealed to use at least 50 per cent of the funds collected from the farmers to develop the roads.

‘Middlemen menace’

Though the APMC Act came into existence 40 years ago, the government has not been able to avoid the middle-men menace. T avoid the middlemen in APMC and to provide good price for the growers, Government passed APMC Act in 1968-69. Though the issue was discussed in the Legislative Assembly several times, no concrete measures have been taken.”

Owing to the shortage of rainfall, there is drought like situation in the country. A situation to import foodgrains have arised. Presently, 420 million tonne foodgrains need to be produced. However, we could produce only 220 million tonne.”

Owing to the converting of agricultural land to non agricultural activities, 10 million tonne paddy production has been reduced.

In this regard, it is high time we protrect our agriculture land. If we continue to use agricultural land for the construction of resort, hotels, we have to face serious problems in the future,” he warned.

Grant for agriculture

Developed countries like US, Japan and UK are giving priority to agriculture. Moreover, the government is giving grant of 45 to 60 per cent to agriculture sector. India is a agriculture economy. To achieve empowerment in agriculture, there is a need to give more grant to agriculture sector and avoid the import of agricultural products.
Assembly Deputy Speaker K G Bopaiah inaugurated the programme.

Zilla Panchayat Stating Committee on Agriculture H B Ganesh, Zilla Panchayat members M K Nanjappa, Aramanamada Changappa, Anitha Kunjithanda and others were present.