Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 23: With maize and green gram prices crashing sharply across Karnataka, the State Government has announced that it will procure 10 lakh metric tonnes of maize to support distressed farmers. The decision follows mounting protests in North Karnataka and a letter Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging urgent intervention and a halt to maize imports.

Siddaramaiah posted the letter on X, stating that he was “drawing urgent attention to the steep fall” in prices of both crops, which form the livelihood base for lakhs of farmers. He noted that despite the Centre’s minimum support prices (MSP) of Rs 2,400 per metric tonne for maize and Rs 8,768 for green gram, current market prices in Karnataka have plunged to Rs 1,600–Rs 1,800 for maize and around Rs 5,400 for green gram. He described the situation as “a sharp and unprecedented decline”, pointing out that for the past three years, average prices had remained above MSP.

This Kharif season, maize has been cultivated on more than 17.94 lac hectares and green gram on over 4.16 lac hectares, with the State expecting over 54.74 lac metric tonnes of maize and 1.983 lac metric tonnes of green gram. “What should have been an opportunity for prosperity has, due to current market conditions, turned into a crisis,” the CM wrote, adding that Karnataka now has nearly 32 lac metric tonnes of surplus maize—far more than local industry can absorb.

At a review meeting with farmer leaders, Siddaramaiah said he would write to the Union Government seeking an immediate stop to maize imports by central agencies. “The maize price has come down in the market, while production has increased,” he said, alleging that the Centre’s decision to import 70 lac tonnes of maize had discouraged agencies such as NAFED and NCCF from beginning procurement.

Farmers have been demanding the opening of procurement centres, and the CM has directed officials to hold talks with distilleries to purchase maize. However, many distillers are already stocked up after years of lower prices. He also discussed the concerns of green gram growers, stating that during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Modi, he had sought compensation for crop losses. A team of State officials will visit Delhi to request a revision of fair average quality norms.

The Government’s procurement move aims to stabilise prices, but farmers say immediate intervention from the Centre remains crucial to prevent deeper financial distress.