Davanagere Farmers Struggle as Paddy Prices Plummet Amid Bumper Crop
Farmers in Davanagere, Karnataka’s “rice granary,” are facing severe financial distress as the price of paddy has fallen sharply in the Bhadra Achukattu region, despite good rainfall and a bumper crop this year. The price drop, from Rs 2,670 per quintal last year to between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,230 this season, has left farmers struggling to make ends meet. In some cases, the price had been as high as Rs 3,300 a quintal, but the recent downturn is causing widespread concern.
The Crisis:
The Bhadra Achukattu area, spanning 1.5 lakh hectares, produced 4.5 lakh metric tons of paddy this season, marking an increase from last year’s yield. However, the surge in supply has led to a sharp decline in market prices, causing financial distress for farmers. The total paddy yield is expected to reach 8 lakh quintals this year, with over 1 lakh quintals already entering the market.
Farmers’ Demands:
Frustrated with the drastic price drop, farmers are demanding immediate government intervention. They are calling for the establishment of procurement centers and for paddy to be purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,320 per quintal, with an additional Rs 600 support from the state, bringing the total to Rs 2,920 per quintal.
Farmer leaders, including Satish Kolenahalli and Nagaraj, have raised concerns about price manipulation by local traders who are allegedly colluding to keep prices low despite strong demand for rice worldwide. They are calling for a transparent e-tender system to ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
The Way Forward:
With the harvest season nearly over, Davanagere’s farmers are in urgent need of government intervention to stabilize paddy prices and prevent significant losses. As the region plays a key role in Karnataka’s agricultural economy, the outcome of this crisis will have long-term implications for the sustainability of paddy cultivation.
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