Hassan: The Government, which is supposed to take action, is sitting with its eyes closed as there is a situation in the country where capitalists are fixing the price for the crops grown by farmers,” said K. M. Shivalinge Gowda.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a Copra Procurement Centre through NAFED at the Agricultural Produce Market premises in the City, he said that coconut and copra are the major crops in more than 40 taluks of Central Karnataka including Arasikere. “Though the situation faced by coconut growers due to non-availability of scientific price for coconut and copra in the market is brought to the notice of the Government but coconut growers will not get much benefit as the State Government has decided to procure copra at Rs. 11,750 per quintal with the cooperation of the Central Government without giving a minimum incentive of Rs. 1,000 per quintal of Copra, he noted.

He regretted that it would only benefit the farmers if they bought at a minimum support price of Rs. 15,000 otherwise the farmers would also not get any benefit from the coconut released to the NAFED Centre.

He warned that those who come to the NAFED Procurement Centre to release the copra should be purchased as per the rules without causing any unnecessary trouble to the farmers but will not be spared if there are complaints and allegations related to the purchase.

Speaking on the occasion, District Raitha Sangha Convenor Boranakappalu Shivalingappa said that MLA Shivalinge Gowda’s work and concern for farmers is an example for others as he is in a mood to respond to the sufferings of the farmers along with the all-round development of the Constituency.