Kharge urges Union Govt to Provide Additional Bonus for Tur in Karnataka

Bengaluru/New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge urged the union government to grant additional bonus of Rs. 1000 per 100 kilogram for Tur (Pigeon Pea) growers in Karnataka state this year. This facility should also be extended to the farmers who have already sold their Tur at minimum support price (MSP), speaking in Lok Sabha session on Tuesday.

Union government has already announced MSP for Tur at Rs 5050 (Rs. 4625 with a bonus of Rs 425).  Karnataka government has also provided an additional Bonus of Rs 450 per quintal.  This price is quite low and does not cover the cost of production borne by the farmers of Karnataka.  As per estimation of Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission, total cost of production (cost C₃) works out to Rs. 6403 per quintal in the State. Keeping this in view, it is requested that an additional Bonus of Rs 1000 be announced by the union government over and above the MSP price of Rs. 5050.

In 6-7 districts of Karnataka state, 1,73,230  tur growing farmers have registered their names.  Target of procurement of Tur through NAFED, FCI&SFAC is fixed at 2.40 lakh MTs. These Institutions have already purchased 1.70 lakh MTs, only, from 65,043 farmers. This has covered only 35% of farmers who have registered their names.  Another 65% farmers are still left out.   If NAFED does not come forward to purchase from the remaining 65% farmers, it will create law and order problem in the state.  Government of India must give direction to NAFED to extend the period up to May 15, 2017 for purchasing of additional 3.00 lakh MT of Tur, at MSP.  In addition to this there is an opportunity for the Government of India to come forward and procure more stocks of Tur under Price Support Scheme.  In this regard Karnataka State Government is going to send a proposal to the government of India.

Karnataka is one of the major Tur producing states in the country. In the backdrop of high prices in 2015-16, various initiatives were taken for increasing pulses production. The year 2016 was the’International Year of Pulses.’ Karnataka had a record area sown of 12.5 lakh hectare (ha) of Tur. Even though monsoons were poor this year in Karnataka, the anticipated production of Tur this year is estimated to be about 7.1 lakh tons, more than three times the average annual production.

Government of India last year imported Tur 57 lakh tons. This year also they have imported 27.86 lakh Metric Tons (MTs) at the rate of Rs. 10,114 per quintal.  Instead of importing of Tur from outside Government of India should come forward to purchase Tur from our own farmers at the same rate of Rs.10,114 or at least at the rate of Rs 7000 per quintal. This will really help the farming community.