JOIN USCoffee growers incur loss of Rs 1,500 cr in three districts
Coffee Board Member D M Vijay has urged the Union Government to come to the rescue of the coffee growers, who are in trouble, due to crop loss and fall in market rates.
Addressing media persons in the town on Tuesday, he said that coffee growers in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Kodagu districts have incurred a loss of Rs 1,500 crore.
“Erratic rainfall, diseases and acute shortage of labourers have discouraged the coffee growers. The Central Government should, therefore, provide assistance to the growers, in order to save coffee industry,” he requested.
He further said that banks have been issuing notices to coffee growers, for the recovery of loans and have also lodged cases against many of them. “The growers who have lost their crops are unable to repay the loans. Bank officials should visit the coffee plantations to know the exact situation and should stop issuing such notices,” Vijay said.
The white stem borer insects have created havoc in coffee plantations, which has been discouraging agriculturists from taking up coffee cultivation. Owing to continuous rain in the last 15 days, coffee fruits are withering extensively. Also, the market price of Arabica coffee, which was supposed to be Rs 15,000 a bag, has plunged to Rs 7,400, while the production cost is increasing.
He urged the Central Government to form a committee to calculate the crop loss and understand the problems faced by coffee growers.
“A report should be prepared in this regard. Complete loan waiver should be provided to Arabica coffee growers. Also, a support price of Rs 60,000 per acre should be given,” he added.
He meanwhile alleged that the Central Government has been removing the Coffee Board members appointed during the tenure of UPA government, and is appointing new members, although the Coffee Board members’ have still three years of their tenure left.
He warned that the government may have to pay a heavy prize if it removes the members.
Association Vice President M S Lingappa, Coffee Board member Devraj and Youth Congress leader Prasad Amin were present.