Engage in traditional occupations, Deve Gowda advises villagers

Instead of depending on rain, the rural people should engage in traditional occupations, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new building of DCC Bank at Birur on Friday.

“Agriculture is the main occupation in the country. However, if the governments fail to look into the interest of the farmers, then agriculture sector will be extinct. Farmers are protesting in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

“I have toured Mandya, Chitradurga, Hassan, Davangere and other districts where areca nut and coconut trees have dried. Unfortunately, both the Centre and state governments have failed to support the farmers
who are in distress,” he lamented.

DCC Bank president S L Dharme Gowda said that the bank has recorded success in lending loans and recovery
inspite of drought in the district.

 A sum of Rs 85 crore loan has been disbursed among women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), he added.

Though the Centre has announced crop loans at zero interest, the mandatory requirement of insurance has been causing inconvenience to the farmers.

Last year, 5,000 farmers had paid for crop insurance premium. Inspite of declaring Kadur taluk as drought-
hit, the farmers have failed to get insurance amount, he said.

MLA Y S V Datta said that a project worth Rs 1,200 crore to include Kadur for permanent irrigation scheme under Upper Bhadra project has been sent to the government.