Bengaluru: Ethanol-producing companies on Friday agreed to follow the state government’s directions and purchase maize at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) after a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, reports Deccan Herald.
The meeting, attended by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil, Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy and Excise Minister R. B. Thimmapur, saw the government urge the companies to begin maize procurement immediately to ease the difficulties faced by farmers.
The discussion took place at a time when farmers in the state have sown maize on a record 17.94 lakh hectares, with production expected to reach 54.74 lakh metric tonnes. The large harvest has caused prices to fall below the MSP. The government informed the companies that officials have been asked to draw up guidelines for the procurement process.
The companies also highlighted the challenges before them.
Recently, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the fall in maize prices in the state and stating that the slump has led to distress among farmers.
In the letter written on Friday, Siddaramaiah stated that Karnataka cultivated maize on more than 17.94 lakh hectares this Kharif season and is expecting a tentative production of over 54.74 lakh metric tonnes. Although this should have been an opportunity for prosperity, current market conditions have turned it into a crisis.
