Govt urged to purchase green chilly through Hopcoms

He was speaking to the elected representatives, APMC President, Secretary and farmers in a meeting. About 3,200 metric tonne green chilly is grown in 400 hectares of land in the district. About 2,000 metric tonne green chillies have been harvested. Directorate of Agricultural Marketing have been appealed to provide suitable marketing facility for the remaining 1,200 metric tonne chillies. He said: “We have requested Metro, More, Reliance and other companies to purchase green chillies in whole sale to be sold under their companies. If they come forward for direct purchase from the farmers, the chillies will be brought to APMC yard in Somwarpet.”

He appealed to the farmers to harvest according to the demand in the market. MLC S G Medappa said “farmers were growing green chillies as summer crop. However, the farmers are in dire straits owing to the steep fall in the prices.”

He urged the authorities to provide a cooling station which can preserve green chillies for eight to ten days.

Agriculture Department Joint Director K R Krishnaiah said HOPCOMS should come forward to purchase the crop.

SP Ramesh Harihara, APMC President Ramesh Changappa, Horticulture Deputy Director Shakeel Ahmmed, APMC Assistant Director Doreswamy, Additional DC Chikkathiammaiah, Madikeri Tahsildar Griappa and others were present.