Farmers organize 1-day protest demanding support prices

Farmers organize 1-day protest demanding support prices

Mangalore Today News Networ

Mangalore, Feb 22: The Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS), DK samithi, is organizing a 24-hour dharna sathyagraha in front of the DC’s office, demanding a support price of Rs 125 for areca nut, Rs 7 for coconut, and Rs 50 per kg of copra. The protest will be on from Feb 22, 10 a.m. to Feb 23, 10 a.m.

 

 

General Secretary of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) G C Baiya Reddy said that about 2 lakh farmers are on the verge of committing suicide owing to areca nut and coconut losses. He expressed concern over the fact that the farmers who work so hard to provide food for people are themselves struggling to lead a comfortable life. He accused the government of cheating the areca nut and coconut growers of Karnataka in the name of privatization.

The number of farmers who commit suicide in Karnataka is the third highest, he informed, adding that providing support prices for coconut and areca nut is therefore a must.

Ramakrishna Bhat said that even paddy growers are not getting support prices today. He accused Yeddyurappa of breaking all the promises he had made to the farmers before coming to power. He said that the rate of the coconut is rapidly declining and will decline further if the government does not do something about it.

K R Sriyan, the district president; K Yadav Shetty, the general secretary of KPRS; Muliya Keshavaiah; Shrinivas Alva; Nonaiah Gowda; and Dugappa also participated in the protest.