Bangalore: Minister for Agriculture Bandeppa Kashempur said here on Tuesday that the Government would announce the new agriculture policy on November 1. It would address important problems faced by farmers.

Speaking at the Raithara Samavesha organised as part of the public information campaign on Bharat Nirman organised by Press Information Bureau, he called upon agriculture universities to invite farmers to their campuses and demonstrate new and innovative farming techniques. A major programme towards this end was being planned by the Government, he said.

Listing out the farmer-friendly programmes introduced by his Government, Mr. Kashempur said interest rate on farm loans had been reduced from 6 per cent to 4 per cent; provision made to supply seeds at 75 per cent subsidy to 18 lakh farmers worth Rs. 87 crore; each taluk was to be given 20 power tillers and 20 tractors this year; self-help groups provided Rs. 8 crore subsidy for self-employment ventures and Rs 10,000 had been provided for purchasing bullocks, with a budget provision of Rs 20 crore.

Responding to questions raised by farmers at the meeting, he urged Rajya Sabha Member B.K. Hariprasad to get a relief package released to farmers affected by drought and floods in different parts of the State.

Mr. Hariprasad said the Union Government would spend Rs. 175,000 crore under Bharat Nirman up to 2009 to augment rural infrastructure. He added that in the first phase, Rs. 16,000 crore was spent in 200 districts in the country. The main objective was to prevent suicides by farmers.

Dryland farming

Referring to dryland farming, where Karnataka stood second in the country, he said the Central Planning Commission had allotted funds for water conservation, ground water recharging and irrigation. More than 700 farmers from different districts gathered to learn about new agriculture technologies and best farm practices. Experts from the University of Agriculture Sciences, Indian Institute of Horticulture and other institutions were present.

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