Chikkamagaluru: Chikkamagaluru, known as the Land of Coffee, will get a new milk union. The union will be established following the bifurcation of the Hassan District Milk Producers’ Union.
Minister for cooperation KN Rajanna disclosed this while addressing the gathering at the golden jubilee celebration of the Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) in Sangameshwarpet on Sunday. He mentioned that chief minister Siddaramaiah agreed to establish a new union that will also include Arasikere taluk of Hassan district.
The Hassan Milk Union currently manages the supply and distribution of milk from dairy farmers in Chikkamagaluru district. With dairy farming, farmers receive daily income. Milk prices are low in Karnataka compared to other states, and prices were increased to help farmers, he said.
Rajanna stated that farmers suffered economic crisis due to high production costs but failed to get good prices for their produce. “Unless the farmers are able to fix prices for their products, they cannot be economically stable,” he said.
Even coffee planters suffered economic crises but were hesitant to express their situation. He added that now the planters have relief owing to good prices for coffee. He suggested expanding business and advised going for non-agricultural lending, which would be a boon for local residents. The organisation will be economically strengthened, he said, and also suggested lending loans at a low rate of interest.
The minister also stated that there should be no politics in the cooperative field as it would be a threat to the system. He mentioned that Union govt has no concern for farmers and that govt waived Rs 16 lakh crore loan of capitalists.
Sringeri MLA TD Rajegowda said the cooperative field is responsible for growth in agriculture and farmers. The farmers have become self-sufficient through cooperative societies, he said.
Several cooperatives were honoured for their service.
