Bangalore: In the wake of weakened monsoons, State Agriculture Minister  Krishna Bhairegowda has   asked the farming community to  give priority to growing short term crops. He also announced support price for white jowar and ragi,

Replying to a question pertaining to his department in the Vidhana Sabha on Thursday June 26, Krishna Bhairegowda said  sowing operations had picked up in May  but  received a setback in June due to shortage of  frainfall. In case  monsoon is disappointing, the government is ready  to face it and go for alternate crops, he said.

He said the state needs construction  of warehouses to stock  65 lakh metric tonnes of good grains as the existing godowns can stock only upto 30 lakh metric tonnes. There is a need for Rs 75 crores to build   godowns and the Warehous Corporation has taken up the task of constructing warehouse  to stock 11 lakh metric tonnes of food grains, he informed.

Bhairegowda  said a new scheme of providing agricultural implements on rent will be initiated  in every assembly segment. The scheme will be later extended to hobali level, he further added. The tractor subsidy scheme   is still continuing and the budget has allocated Rs 146 crore for the purpose, he informed.