‘Manifesto should include waiver of loans borrowed’

Karnataka Growers Federation (KGF) President U M Theerthamallesh has urged political parties to include the issues of waiving the loans borrowed by coffee growers, waiving off interest on the loan, giving loan at the rate of 3% for growers, support price for coffee and pepper and revival of Comark (Coffee Marketing Federation) in there election manifesto.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said coffee and pepper are the main crops in Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Kodagu districts. With the increase in production cost, drop in the price of crops, heavy rain and drought and diseases affecting the coffee plantation, the growers are in distress.

The political parties should include those points which will protect the interests of growers, he added.

He said that heavy rain and drought has pushed the growers to hardship. The pending loan and its interest up to December 31, 2018, should be waived.

The manifesto should also announce exemption from paying tax on the sale of coffee grown and cured by them. As per the recommendations of Dr Swaminathan Committee report, minimum support price for coffee and pepper should be announced, he added.

He said the manifesto should include measures for the revival of Comark. The pending financial assistance for the coffee growers should be released through Coffee Board. There is a need to find a permanent solution to the animal-human conflict.