BS Yeddyurappa to table a farm budget

In an effort to focus more on the farming sector, the ruling BJP government is planning to present a separate budget on agriculture.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa has decided to set aside the maximum amount for agriculture and table a separate budget on it.

The issue was discussed in the BJP core committee meeting held last week where it was decided that the budget on agriculture will be presented on the floor of the house following the general budget.

The agriculture department has already submitted a proposal for a separate budget to the state government. Addressing the media, the agriculture minister Umesh Katti said, “We have already requested the chief minister for a separate budget for agriculture, for which he has agreed in principle. We will meet once again to put pressure on the CM.”

The minister added that to attract investments to the agriculture sector, they were planning to conduct the Global Agriculture Investment Meet in June, on the lines of Global Investors Meet.

“We have set a target of Rs 50,000cr. We are conducting road shows abroad to attract investments and will also offer land,” he said.

Meanwhile, to help the farming community, the department is considering declaring a minimum support price for five crops.
We are identifying the crops and are taking this initiative to help farmers.

For instance, last year the state received a bumper crop in toordal and the rate was high. But this year the crop is very good while the rate is very low. So to help the farmers, the state government has declared minimum support price of Rs 4,000 per quintal, said Katti.