Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 7: Amount under the 'Karavali Package' that the government had announced towards motivating the farmers of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts to grow paddy is yet to reach the farmers concerned. There is doubt whether the government will be able to disburse this money to farmers because of the fact that the government's coffers are empty due to coronavirus-induced lockdown affect.

The number of people cultivating paddy in coastal districts has been dwindling over a period of time because of problems like shortage of labourers, excessive rains, insufficient rainfall, diseases etc. Concerned by this development, the government had announced 'Karavali Package' to encourage the agriculturists to grow paddy. The government had proposed to disburse money to paddy growers who use machines and labourers to grow paddy, at the rate of Rs 7,500 per hectare through direct transfer to their accounts. During the last year, most of the paddy growers from the coastal districts had availed the benefit under the scheme.

The farmers who are facing a grim economic situation like the government now, wish that the money would have been of use to them at this difficult time had it been disbursed.

Raita Sangha Hasiru Sene has urged the government to extend Karavali Package benefit to farmers as in the past. It said that many young people from the state have become jobless in other states and countries. "Many such young people have returned to villages and undertaken farming in the land that was allowed to become barren. The government should come to their rescue by encouraging them with funds," it added.

Manohar Shetty Nadikabalaguthu, state secretary of Raita Sangha Hasiru Sene urged the government to immediately release the Karavali Package amount as announced to the farers. He said that by doing so, the government will help paddy crops to stay by encouraging the growers. He also, in addition, sought support price of Rs 2,500 per quintal of paddy.