Kalaburagi, 29 October

Farmers led by the Togari (Pigeon Pea) Farmers Struggle Committee blocked the Sedam-Kalaburagi State Highway with bullock carts on Thursday, demanding 100 per cent crop insurance and drought relief. 

Kalaburagi district's economy depends on the Togari crop. However, with no rain for the last five months, even the little crop sown in the Kalgi taluk has withered, leaving farmers in distress. 

Canals, rivers, wells and borewells have dried up. Monsoon crops like Togari, moong, urad and soybean have completely failed. Due to scorching heat, it is impossible to grow Rabi crops like jowar, chickpea, groundnut and wheat. There is no fodder for cattle either, they lamented.

The protesting farmers alleged that the government has not paid a single rupee as compensation to Togari farmers so far. 

The farmers demanded Rs 5,000 per acre in drought relief, not the Rs 2,500 per family that the government has announced, immediate loan waivers, as well as 100 per cent crop insurance. Other demands include Minimum Support Price for Togari and cotton growers, power for pump sets, and immediate repair of burnt transformers (TCs).

They also called on the government to stop collecting money from farmers at toll booths while transporting sugarcane to factories. 

Karnataka Prant Raitha Sangha District President Sharanabasappa Mamashetty said that "The Central government has closed its eyes and ears to farmers' problems. It neither sees the pain nor hears the complaints."

He also condemned the State government’s paltry “alms”.