From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 11: The Karnataka Grape Growers Association (KGGA) and four of MPs from the grape growing region in the State have urged the Centre to announce a special financial package to bail out the growers from financial distress due to heavy crop losses on account of unseasonal rains and recurring droughts during the last few years.

The office-bearers of the KGGA and the four MPs - Ramesh Jigaginagi, P C Gaddigoudar, Suresh Angadi, and BhagavanthaKooba – met the Union Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in New Delhi on Wednesday and demanded a special financial package to bail growers from financial distress following crop loss owing to unseasonal rains and severe drought in the last few years.

KGGA President Abhaykumar S Nandrekarsaid growersdemanded waiver of crop loans, including interest, amounting Rs 1179 crore from the Centre.

The standing crop on nearly 2,000 hectares was damaged in the recent hailstorm in Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Bidar, Koppal, Belagavi, Kalaburagi districts and the damage has been estimated at Rs 400 crore, he said.

The delegation demanded establishment of a National Horticulture Mission branch in north Karnataka region and a branch of National Centre for Grapes Research at Vijapura.

Grape growers from Karnataka, the second largest producer of grapes, have appealed to the Union government to provide the package as early as possible.

Nearly 8,000 growers of North Karnataka, who have lost their crop, have demanded that former Union Agriculture Minister SharadPawar to exert pressure on the Centre to announce a Vidarbha-type package, under which bank loans are waived.

The growers also sought assistance for adopting good management practices, support for rainwater harvesting and post-harvest management.

A majority of vineyards are in the drought-hit areas. The State accounts for an estimated 20 per cent of India’s grape production at 3.30 lakh tonnes.

Maharashtra contributes 80 per cent of the national output. India’s grape orchards cover 1.16 lakh hectares.

About 70 per cent of production in the State is converted into raisins (dry grapes).
During March-June, a few grape growers saved their orchards by watering them with the help of tankers. But after that it became difficult as it did not rain adequately, he said.

Growers would struggle to survive, and retain their crops, if the Union and State Governments do not waive their loans, he said and wanted urgent steps to rescue them.