List of demands by farming fraternity

Demanding preventive steps by the government to put an end to the farmers’ suicide and Rs 3,000 per tonne of sugarcane, members of Raitha Sangha staged a protest demonstration in Mandya, on Monday.|

They said, the five factories in the district have only paid the Fair Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 2,200 per tonne for the cane crushed for the year 2014-15, even that has not been paid to the farmers since six months.

The Centre has fixed a FRP of Rs 2,300 per tonne for the year 2015-16, but, the State government should fix a recommended price of Rs 3,000 much before the crushing activities begin, they stressed.

Sericulturists

The activists highlighted the plight of sericulturists also, who are facing huge loss, with the prices of cocoons crashing from Rs 400 to Rs 150 per kg. The fertilisers which were available at Rs 9,000 per tonne is now sold at Rs 12,000, which has increased the agricultural expenditure.

The demands include scientific price for agricultural produce, steps to pay the bills on time, reduce the price of fertilisers, minimum support price of Rs 1,800 for paddy and others.
Compensation

The members sought a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the kin of farmers, who have committed suicide due to crop loss, and waive off their bank loans.