Announce loan waiver for coffee growers: Raitha Sangha

Demanding the state government to waive off the loans borrowed by the small and medium growers, and to lend loan at zero per cent interest, the members of Rajya Prantha Raitha Sangha Kodagu district unit will stage a protest in front of the DC’s office, in Madikeri on February 9.

Addressing reporters, Rajya Prantha Raitha Sangha Kodagu district unit convener E R Durgaprasad said that the growers are in distress following untimely rain that lashed the region in the first week of January.

Paddy, pepper, coffee and other farm produce has been lost in the rain. The paddy straw too had been damaged. Paddy failed to get a good price in the market, he said.

“As the government failed to announce support price for ‘athira’ variety of paddy, the traders are purchasing it for a low price,” he added.

Further, he said that the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, thus affecting the common man.

The government should announce a support price for coffee, on the lines of Kerala government. The government should make arrangements to purchase coffee at the support price, he added.

He flayed the decision of the government to close down sub-offices of Coffee Board. The decision will have an impact on the growers.

About 98% of the growers are small growers are in the district. The government should come to the rescue of the coffee growers. The Coffee Board was ensuring that the growers get a better price for the produce, he said.

Now, the government is conspiring against the Coffee Board by closing down its sub-offices, he alleged.