Bengaluru: Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra on Saturday said that the state government has extended Rs 6.24 per kg as support price for onions in the market to stop distress sale by the farmers. The decision comes in the wake of steep fall in onion prices.
Speaking to media persons, minister said that the government will begin procurement of onions from November 2 through the Agriculture Produce Marketing Federation. There has been no support from the Centre so far to provide relief to onion farmers.
There is a provision in Central guidelines to extend support price for produces grown in only one lakh acres. However, in Karnataka, onions are grown in three and a half lakh acres in 10 districts. The production this time was over 23 lakh MT and the state government has released Rs 50 crore for procurement of onions till the price stabilizes, Jayachandra said.
Minister also added that the state government has decided to compensate farmers in Cauvery basin. The compensation of Rs 13,500 would be paid to the farmers who did not resume farming activity at all.
The state government had also submitted a memorandum to the Centre over drought relief too. Already, 110 taluks have been declared drought affected and another 30-35 taluks are likely to be declared drought-hit. From Nov 2, a Central team would be visiting the state to assess drought, he added.
