Karnataka Agricultural Policy - Institute for Social and Economic ...

Karnataka Agicultural Policy 2006
This has led to the farmer borrowing money at high rates of interest from money lenders, for his or his
family member’s treatment. This huge burden, coupled with crop failure has driven him to the
desperate act of committing suicide. Yashaswini Co-operative Healthcare Scheme has shown the
way as to how the health needs of farmer and his family can be met in an effective manner. State
Government should therefore take all steps to strengthen Yashaswini movement in the State. This is
all the more important and necessary since the scheme has earned handsome praise from His
Excellency the President of India, the Honourable Prime Minister of India and Honourable Deputy
Chairman Planning Commission, Government of India.
The proposed universal Health Insurance scheme of the State Government by name Suvarna
Suraksha to cower Agriculture labor under below poverty line must be given effect to immediately.
23 Trade Performance: Confronting a Formidable Challenge
23.1 Karnataka has been participating aggressively in agricultural trade through KAPPEC. Major
commodities exported from Karnataka include coffee, silk products, cashew, gherkins, agricultural
processed food and spices. The total agricultural exports are in the range of Rs. 2,000-3,000 crores
for the last five years. There are significant fluctuations in the value of exports of coffee products
and silk products, whereas cashew and cashew kernels recorded peak returns in 2004-05. In all
respects, 2004-05 was a good year as far as exports of agricultural products from Karnataka is
concerned. However, it is necessary to re-emphasise this sector and aggressively trade in other
commodities too. The concept of Agri-Export Zone has been taken and AEZs are established in
Karnataka with a financial implication of Rs. 10.95 crore by signing a MoU with Karnataka
Agricultural produce processing and Export Corporation (KAPPEC) and APEDA. This Agri-Export
Zone focussed gherkin and at present, Karnataka is growing gherkin on 15,000 acres by involving
almost 30,000 farmers. The total export of gherkin from India is worth Rs. 150 crores, of which
Karnataka alone accounts for Rs.139 crores. The districts covered include Bangalore, Kolar, Hassan,
Tumkur, Chitradurga, Dharwad and Bagalkot.
23.2.1 A similar Agri-Export Zone was established in the year 2002 for Rose Onion. Presently, Rose Onion
is grown on 10,000 acres with 5,000 farmers participating in it. The total value of exports of Rose
Onion from Karnataka is about Rs. 50 crores and it benefits the farmers from Bangalore and Kolar
districts. Similarly, an Agri-Export Zone for floriculture has also been established with a financial
allocation of Rs. 29.28 crore. Agri-Export Zone of floriculture benefitted farmers from Bangalore,
Kolar, Tumkur, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Belgaum districts. In addition to
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