Badagalpura Nagendra, a prominent figure from the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), voiced strong calls for the government to implement a loan waiver to alleviate the financial burdens faced by farmers amidst the prevailing adversity.
In a press conference in Mysuru on December 19, Nagendra highlighted the acute challenges plaguing farmers, emphasizing the dire impact of crop failures and the substantial escalation in cultivation costs. He stressed that these factors have severely depleted farmers' income, pushing many below the poverty line in Karnataka. Nagendra asserted that in light of the widespread crop damage caused by drought affecting over 90 percent of the state, a loan waiver was imperative to support the struggling rural community.
Underlining the plight of farmers, Nagendra further urged the government to devise a comprehensive policy guaranteeing lifelong pensions for farmers aged 60 and above. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of ensuring proper educational opportunities for farmers' children, enabling them to explore alternative sources of income.
Addressing the governmental role in supporting the agricultural sector, Nagendra advocated for the appointment of a proficient agricultural specialist, rather than a politically affiliated individual, as the chairman of the Agriculture Price Commission. He firmly expressed concerns that those with political inclinations might lack the necessary expertise to address the intricate issues faced by farmers effectively.
