Bangalore: The Government has constituted a special official-level committee to study the problems of mango growers in the State and recommend measures such as fixation of prices.

Speaking to presspersons after a meeting with mango growers, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said the Government is interested in ensuring remunerative prices for mango. It is also keen on creating a good market for the produce.

Horticulture development

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Centre has released Rs. 179 crores under its National Horticulture Mission for developing horticulture in the State. The Department of Horticulture will initiate programmes to educate farmers about utilising the funds.

On the problem faced by tomato growers owing to a glut in the market, the Chief Minister said a minimum support price of Rs. 2 a kg has been fixed. Agricultural Produce Market Committees in the tomato growing areas have started procuring the produce.

He hoped that with this measure, the price of tomato will stabilise in a few days.

The Chief Minister said the affected tomato growers could meet the officers of the APMC concerned for any information or assistance in selling their produce.

Mr. Kumaraswamy also met a delegation of farmers from Hebbur and Guloor in Tumkur district who demanded supply of drinking water from the Hemavathi canal to their towns. The delegation led by Lingappa, MLA for Kunigal, said they have been agitating for getting water from the canal for 14 years.

Mr. Kumaraswamy reminded the delegation that the Tamil Nadu Government has made a representation to the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal objecting to the State taking up drinking water supply projects in the Cauvery Basin. The report of the tribunal is awaited, he said.

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