Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged farmers in the state to unite against the Union government’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act. Speaking at an event, he emphasized the government’s support for the agriculture sector, aiming to make farming profitable and empower farmers by promoting post-harvest activities.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the importance of farmers diversifying into activities beyond cultivation, such as storage, processing, and marketing, to enhance profitability. He also praised the role of women in agriculture and recognized their achievements. The government is providing support to farmers by offering quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and subsidies for agricultural machinery purchases.
The Chief Minister commended Karnataka’s success in implementing the crop insurance scheme, with significant funds distributed to farmers as compensation. He stressed the need for farmers to engage more in post-harvest activities, citing examples of price negotiations with sugarcane and tur dal farmers. Siddaramaiah also encouraged youth to consider agriculture as a viable career option to boost the sector’s growth.
