Agriculture – Farmers’ Federation Criticises Karnataka Budget Over Agrarian Crisis
Agriculture – The Karnataka State Farmers’ Organisations Federation has expressed disappointment over the State Budget, saying it does not adequately respond to the growing challenges faced by the farming community.
The federation stated that the financial plan presented by the state government has largely overlooked the pressing concerns of farmers, particularly the continuing agrarian distress and the increasing number of farmer suicides. Leaders of the organisation said the lack of new measures aimed specifically at stabilising farm incomes and improving rural livelihoods has left many farmers worried about the future of agriculture in the state.
Concerns Over Farmer Suicides and Rural Distress
Federation State President Kurubur Shanthakumar said Karnataka remains among the states with the highest number of farmer suicides in India. According to him, the budget does not introduce any significant policy or programme designed to address this alarming situation.
He noted that the issue goes beyond financial hardship and reflects a deeper structural problem within the agricultural sector. Without targeted interventions such as better crop support systems, improved risk management, and stronger institutional assistance, he warned that the crisis could intensify in the coming years.
Shanthakumar also stressed that repeated financial packages without structural reforms are unlikely to produce meaningful change for farmers who continue to face uncertain incomes, rising costs, and climate-related risks.
Growing Disinterest Among Younger Generation
The federation also highlighted a growing social concern in rural areas. According to Shanthakumar, many young people from farming families are gradually moving away from agriculture as a career.
He explained that declining profitability and unpredictable returns from farming are encouraging rural youth to migrate to urban areas in search of stable employment. This shift, he said, is slowly changing the demographic structure of villages.
The situation has also begun to affect social dynamics. In several farming communities, uncertainty surrounding agricultural livelihoods has reportedly made it difficult for farmers to find suitable marriage alliances. Federation leaders said the issue reflects the wider perception that agriculture is no longer seen as a secure profession.
Loan Announcement Seen as Continuation of Existing Scheme
The government’s announcement of zero-interest crop loans worth Rs 30,000 crore for nearly 38 lakh farmers also drew criticism from the federation.
Shanthakumar stated that the measure is not a new initiative but an extension of an existing programme that has been implemented in previous years. While acknowledging that such credit support is important, he argued that the budget presentation created an impression of a fresh policy announcement.
According to the federation, farmers were expecting additional measures that could reduce debt pressure or provide stronger financial safeguards during crop failures.
Limited Support for Allied Agricultural Activities
Despite the criticism, the federation acknowledged a few proposals in the budget that could offer some benefits to farmers.
One such initiative is the plan to establish horticulture produce processing units in the districts of Davanagere and Vijayapura. Shanthakumar said these facilities could help farmers store produce more effectively and enable value addition, which may improve income opportunities for growers in those regions.
The federation also noted that the government’s decision to provide a 25 percent subsidy for purchasing cows and buffaloes could offer some assistance to dairy farmers. However, it maintained that the overall scale of support for the dairy sector remains modest compared to the challenges faced by livestock farmers.
Technology Initiatives and Healthcare Allocation Welcomed
The federation welcomed the government’s proposal to encourage the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. Shanthakumar said modern technologies could improve productivity, weather forecasting, and crop management if they are introduced with proper training and support for farmers.
He added that technological adoption must be accompanied by accessible infrastructure and practical guidance to ensure farmers benefit from such innovations.
Beyond agriculture, the federation also praised the state government’s decision to allocate Rs 180 crore for upgrading the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in Mysuru. Leaders said strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the region is an important step that will benefit residents across Karnataka.
Overall, the federation concluded that while the budget contains a few constructive measures, it does not sufficiently address the broader challenges confronting the farming community.