The State government has increased the amount of compensation for coconut farmers, whose crop has withered due to various factors in the region, said Horticulture Minister Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, here, on Sunday.

He said, the compensation amount has been raised from Rs 12,000 per hectare to Rs 20,000. Responding to a question, an official said, a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the relief amount to Rs 1,000 per coconut tree, in line with the Kerala model. However, the Centre has not yet approved it, he said.

Speaking on the proposed turmeric processing unit at Chamarajanagar, Shivashankarappa said, the construction of a market to buy turmeric produced by farmers in the region, has improve the condition of farmers.

“Earlier, farmers used to send their produce to Erode in Tamil Nadu for processing. Farmers used to bear the expenses of transport of their produce.

However, with the launch of the market in Chamarajanagar, farmers are getting better price for their produce,” he said.

He said, the amount of Revolving Fund, which is used to compensate the farmers, who suffer crop loss, will be increased regularly.

During the year 2013-14, Rs 100 crore was sanctioned for the Fund, he said.

He said, an association of farmers cultivating crops listed under Geographical Index — such as Nanjangud rasabale and Mysore mallige — has been formed to improve their cultivation in the district.

Source - http://www.deccanherald.com/