Govt intends to give upto Rs 2 lakh interest free loan to farmers

Assuring complete support for growth in the agriculture sector, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the government intends to provide interest free loan to farmers up to Rs two lakh and projected his administration as industry friendly.

"In order to support farmers and growth in the agriculture sector, state government plans to provide interest free loan to farmers up to Rs two lakh. Loans should be made available easily through co-operative or nationalised banks," he said.

Along with the loan, farmers should also be provided good quality seeds and fertilisers, he said at a Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) event.

He said Karnataka would have a separate commission to decide on price for agriculture commodities on the lines of the Commission for Agriculture Costs and prices at the Centre.

"We need a separate commission at the state level to decide on the price for agriculture produce on the lines of the one at the Centre. Our farmers should get fair price for what they grow; this should in turn help in arresting farmer suicides and number of farmers quitting agriculture.