State sugar cane growers to observe World Farmers' Day on Dec 31

NT Correspondent

Mysuru

Members of the State Sugar Cane Growers’ Association have decided to celebrate World Farmers’ Day on 31 December at Kalamandir in the city. This decision was taken at a preliminary meeting chaired by Hallikere Hundi Bhagyaraj at Kuvempu Park near Gun House Circle here on Saturday. Addressing the meeting, Bhagyaraj announced that Suttur Mutt Seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji will participate in the event, along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, State Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda, Agriculture Minister Cheluvarayaswamy and Sugar and Agriculture Marketing Minister Shivananda Patil.

The association plans to urge the state government to address several demands, including fixing a minimum support price of ?5,500 per tonne of sugarcane for the next crushing season, directing sugar mills to clear pending arrears of ?950 crore owed to farmers, waiving crop loans, and providing incentives of ?500 per quintal for paddy and other crops whenever market prices crash. They will also call for scientific compensation for farmers who suffer crop losses due to wild animal attacks and the continuation of transformer and electric pole facilities for irrigation pump sets.

Additionally, the association will demand action on other issues, including stopping the harassment of women in sel f-help groups with loans from microfinance agencies, banning online games to curb youth suicides, and continuing the Vidyasiri scholarship scheme for farmers’ children.