Karnataka Budget 2023: New sops for farmers, CM promotes GI tagged products
By Vinaykumar Patil | First Published Jul 7, 2023, 5:58 PM ISTKarnataka CM Siddaramaiah provides relief to farmers with increased zero-interest loans and introduces the Krishi Bhagya scheme. The horticulture sector receives a boost through promotion of GI-tagged products and investments in disease control measures, storage units, and processing facilities.
Farmers in Karnataka had been hoping for relief from the Congress government in view of the prevailing drought-like situation in the state due to the shortage of rains. On Friday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah increased the limit of zero-interest loans was increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The chief minister also proposed a new scheme in convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) named Krishi Bhagya scheme.
The Krishi Bhagya scheme will be relaunched with a funding of Rs 100 crore. Agriculture marketing will get a Rs 10 crore allotment in order to support the farmer's produce and value addition. For the encouragement of Nandini products and provide branding to the products, Rs 10 crore will be released to enable marketing of farmers in state, national and International levels.
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Subsidy of 4 per cent interest up to Rs 20 lakhs financial assistance shall be provided to strengthen the farmer producer organisations. About 100 FPOs in backward talukas will be provided with assistance in this scheme.
Seed capital of 20 per cent (max) of the project cost shall be provided, not exceeding Rs 100 crore will be given to the construction of godowns, cold storages and other infrastructures to facilitate the export of products.
The previous tenure of the Congress government had established Krishi Yantradhare Kendra to provide agricultural equipment on rent. This project will be further developed into 300 high-tech harvester hubs in a phased manner, of which 100 will be constructed during this year 23-24 at 50 crores.
Bonanza for Horticulture Sector
The horticulture sector of Karnataka received magnificent news from CM Siddarmaiah. The Horticulture crops promote the well-being of the farmers, thus increasing their income. Karnataka has a strong potential in this sector, which can boost the economy of the agriculture sector.
To contribute towards this, the CM announced that it will focus on boosting the eco-tourism of Karnataka while promoting GI-tagged products such as the Arabica Coffee brand of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Bababudangiri.
The horticultural crops, such as Coconut, Areca nut, grapes, pomegranate, mango and other fruits along with vegetables and flowers carry a great brand value in this sector. He said that there will be a provision in 2023-24 to take up the disease control measures at Rs 5 crore.
The storage of these crops will be taken care of by the 8 cold storage units and processing units will be set up for the processing and storing of the products. The coffee products of Karnataka will be branded and promoted through Karnataka tourism, which will benefit the farmers of the region.
He gave importance to the GI-tagged products of Karnataka such as Mysuru Mallige (Jasmine), Nanjanagudu Rasabale (Banana) and Mysurur Veelyadale (Beetle leaf). These products have their tastes and fragrances embedded in people’s hearts. To promote and develop these products, the new program will be launched soon in order to raise the production, research, marketing and branding.
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The commercial flowers of Karnataka have the utmost importance in the market. Measures will be taken to export the flowers and also, they will be imported and provided to the farmers at a low and affordable price. This will give a moral boost to the farmers and thus, they can put their heart and soul in farming.
The CM also gave importance to the welfare of Horticulture for students and announced a scheme called ‘Vidyarthigaligagi Thotagarike’ meaning ‘Horticulture for students which will help the students in increasing their knowledge about horticulture.
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