Bring woes of marginal farmers to forefront, says Sorake

Minister inaugurates awareness workshop for pepper growers

Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake has said that the grievances of marginal and small farmers should be brought to the forefront, to understand the real problems faced during cultivation.

Speaking after inaugurating an awareness workshop for the pepper growing farmers over the technicalities involved in the pepper farming here at Perdur, the minister said there are 75 lakh farmers in State and nearly half of the area in State is used for agriculture. The issue concerning the problems encountered by the sugarcane farmers is always highlighted in the discussion in the Assembly sessions. He lamented that there are only five lakh sugarcane farmers in State and they take the centre stage of discussion by the people’s representatives, while the Assembly is in session.

The marginal and small farmers in rural areas go unnoticed in the administrative mechanism. He said one should understand the problems of the rural farmers to know the vein of the farming. He added the marketing problems of the farmers are a huge bane, wherein the farmer who grows the products is not entitled to decide the price for his growths.

Emphasizing over the not so profitable paddy farming, the minister said that the farmers should go for mixed farming to enhance the profit margin. The alternative crop like banana plantation, cocoa and pepper would be profitable in the long run and the farmer can overcome the loss incurred owing to paddy cultivation and other agricultural crop. The farming activities are massively affected by the shortage of labourers, he said.

Pointing out at the innovations taking place in agricultural research arena, the minister said that innovations are the need of the hour to bring the farmers out from the woes. The agriculturists should think of new ideas to make the growths profitable. He directed the officials to ensure the facilities of government sponsored schemes to the farmers without delay. He added that measures would be taken to overcome the problems of shortage of staff in horticulture department.

Horticulture Department Deputy Director K A Vijay Kumar said the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture programme aims at the holistic growth of horticulture sector, including bamboo and coconut through area based regionally differentiated strategies, which includes research, technology promotion, extension, post harvest management, processing and marketing. It also encourages aggregation of farmers into farmer groups to bring economy of scale and scope. He added that around 40-50 beneficiaries are included.

He added that the department would provide subsidies up to minimum of Rs 4.5 lakh to maximum of Rs 18 lakh to set up polyhouse and green house. As many as five farmers have come forward in Udupi. He added that 90 per cent subsidies would be offered for minor irrigation. Individual framer would receive 90 per cent subsidy for two hectares and maximum up to five hectares. As many as 50 per cent subsidies would be given for the land starting from three hectare. The department offers 50 per cent subsidies for vermi-compost unit up to Rs 30,000.

For rot disease, a farmer would get Rs 1,200 per hectare up to maximum of Rs 4,800. A farmer can avail 50 per cent subsidies for the honeybee family and box unit. One unit would get Rs 2000 and the department would offer subsides for 50 units.

He said there is also scope for tours for farm fields and research stations for the horticulture farmers. Around 750 farmers can avail the benefit for the year 2014-15. The farming machines are offered 40-50 per cent subsides up to Rs 50,000. The SC/ST community people would get 90 per cent subsides for farm machines. The department also ensures subsidies for SC/ST community farmers for solar pumps and solar fencing, he added.

The pepper growers association in Perdur would take up pepper cultivation in as many as 32 acres of land. As many as 6,250 graft breed pepper and 8,610 normal breed pepper would be used for pepper harvest.