Vijayapura: At the time when the farmers across the country were expressing ire against the BJP government and the three farm laws which they are termed anti-farmer, The Agriculture Minister, B. C. Patil has decided to meet the farmers directly to hear their grievances.

In his programme ‘ Raitarondige Wondu Dina’ ( A day with the farmers), the Minister selects a particular village where he spends an entire day with them.

In his regard, the Minister is expected to arrive  Vijayapura on February 22 to spend time with the farmers in the village of the district.

Having launched this event in November last year itself, he has already visited districts such as Mandya, Chamrajnagar, Kolar and Davangere. The next stop of the Minister is scheduled to be Bidar followed by Bijapur.

As per the tentative tour programme, he may select some village in Muddebihal taluk to spend time with the farmers.

Rajashekar Williams, Joint-Director of the Department of Agriculture said that they have already shortlisted three farmers who would be interacting with the Minister.

The farmers are selected based on their methods to adopt new farming technologies and reaping success in that.

“Minister will take up agricultural activities like harvesting in the fields and will interact with the farmers. We have already communicated with the office of agriculture minister, where they have tentatively confirmed the programme”, he said.

If the programme is confirmed, it will be the first visit in the last nine months by Minister Patil to the district. He had failed to turn-up even during the floods and rain caused havoc to the farmers of the district. The officials of the agriculture have submitted a crop loss to the government, which is estimated over Rs 1,200 crores in Bijapur alone. He is likely to face the heat of the farmer associations during his visit.

Meanwhile, several farmer leaders said that they have no objection to the ministering programme but they have issues with the government’s attitude towards farmers. The farmers are facing hundreds of difficulties in the market like grappling to sell their produce at the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) but the government is least bothered to address the issues.

“The government is making farmers’ lives tougher each day by framing anti-farm laws. If it fails to revoke, we will intensify the protest and will also show our strength to the minister during his visit to the district”, they said.