Dharmadhikari donates agricultural implements for Pragati Bandhu members

July 10, 2011

Dharmasthala, July 10: Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D Veerendra Heggade has sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for the purchase of agricultural implements by members of Pragati Bandhu groups in Belgaum district.

"The group consists of small farmers and the financial aid is to encourage them to take up agricultural activities. In all, 2010 Pragati Bandhu groups have been formed in 10 taluks of Belgaum district," a release from Kshetra stated.

Farmers who become members of the group involve in weekly labour exchange under a agricultural development programme. The Kshetra had donated two spades, one pick-axe, one sickle and two baskets to each group, stated the release.

Furniture donated

The Kshetra has also donated 850 pairs of benches and desks to various government schools in Chitradurga district through the department of public instruction. "The Kshetra in the past three years has provided 3746 pairs of furniture to 625 schools in Chitradurga. The Kshetra so far has donated 33,607 desks and benches to 5,579 schools across the state at a cost of Rs 10.57 crore and has benefited nearly 2 lakh students," the release stated.

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DK in-charge minister presents CM’s MSP plea to Prime Minister in Mangaluru

News Network

November 28,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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