Millets & Organics -2023: CM Bommai Inaugurates 3-Day Millet Fair in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated the International Millet and Organic Mela-2023 here in Bengaluru on Friday and suggested preparing a scientific outlook report to improve farmers' lives. "In other countries, they prepare an outlook report that predicts rainfall based on rains received in the previous decade," Basavaraj Bommai said after the Mela was inaugurated.

"A similar report must be prepared to determine the cost of cultivating each crop. The rates must also be included in the report so that farmers can plan their crop production accordingly. This must be discussed, debated, and implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Price Commission," Bommai added.

The CM went on to say that the rural loan scheme needed to be changed in order to improve the rural economy. "The loan amount of Rs 7,000 to 8,000 is credited to farmers when the requirement is Rs 20,000. Farmers will stop begging Marwaris for loans if the required loan amount is granted".

"I have requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Union Agriculture Minister to change the rural loan scheme and urged NABARD to increase the loan sanction system. These measures will put an end to farmers' uncertainty. Our government has made interest-free loans available to 33 lakh farmers, including three lakh new farmers. It's a first. In 10 days, the Raith Shakti scheme was launched. The Yashasvini scheme has been reintroduced. Furthermore, farmers receive free power," Bommai explained.

Millets are grown throughout the state, according to Bommai. Agricultural land that was once used for food production is gradually being commercialized. "Agriculture pundits have expressed concerns that food safety will be jeopardized in the coming days if the balance between commercial and agricultural crops is not maintained," Bommai added.

Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil was present, as were Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, MLC T. A. Saravana, and others.