Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Byndoor, Oct 28: Farmers in Khambadakone area have complained that the farmers are being exploited by fixing abnormally high rents for harvesters used to harvest paddy crops.

At the monthly meeting of members of Khambadakone Farmers Service Cooperative Society hall presided over by president S Prakashchandra Shetty, where the people of nine villages were present, discussions were held about the availability of machinery and their rates.

Some said that middlemen meddle with the business of providing harvesters to the farmers. They claimed that hire charges of Rs 2,500 per hour is being sought. "When we took up the issue with officials of the department of agriculture, they say they do not legally have any hold on private people. We should come together and keep the middlemen away," some suggested. Some also said that even in case of harvesters which are acquired with subsidy from the department collect the same hire charges.

Speaking at the end of detailed debate on the issue, S Prakashchandra Shetty asked the farmers not to pay more than Rs 2,000 per hour for harvesters. He asked the farmers to become united, and promised that his cooperative society will serve the interests of the farmers.

Directors of the society Mohan Poojary, Jalajakshi Poojary, members of Raita Koota, and health assistants were present. Senior manager Chandayy Shetty, welcomed. Chandra K presented the programme.

Byndoor taluk assistant agricultural officer Gayatri Devi, expressed helplessness about the private harvester owners. She said that at the meeting of district level officers, harvester rent was fixed at Rs 1,800 for machines acquired with government subsidy. To a question by media persons, she said if documentary proof about exorbitant hire charges is provided, action will be taken.