Growers seek welfare schemes in election manifestos

Karnataka Growers Federation (KGF) has demanded inclusion of welfare measures for agriculturists in the election manifesto of their respective parties.

KGF president B S Jairam and general secretary U M Teerthamallesh submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, KPCC chairman Dr G Parameshwar, Congress manifesto committee chairman B L Shankar and M Veerappa Moily.

The KGF has also demanded a permanent solution to the encroachment issue, loan waiver for coffee growers, protection of crops from wild animals, free power supply to coffee growers and 3% loans to farmers at agricultural cooperative societies up to Rs 10 lakh, among other demands.

An amendment must be made to end land encroachment. The government land must be provided on a contract basis as in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Encroached lands up to 5 acres by farmers should be regularised and an annual contract fee of Rs 1000, Rs 5000 and Rs 10,000 should be fixed to the lands measuring 5 acres, 10 acres and 25 acres respectively.

Bank loans availed by coffee growers who have incurred losses following harsh weather should be waived off. To prevent the loss of lives due to wild animal menace, strong barricades must be set up in the border of forest areas.

All details of the agricultural land must be mentioned in the same document, the memorandum said.