Belagavi's Record Maize Harvest Meets Limited Government Procurement
Belagavi district in Karnataka has witnessed an exceptional maize harvest this season. Farmers cultivated maize across approximately 1.4 lakh hectares, producing more than 6.9 lakh tonnes. This bumper crop signifies a successful agricultural season for the region's farming community.
Market Intervention Scheme Falls Short of Farmer Expectations
Despite the abundant harvest, farmers now face significant challenges. The Karnataka government announced a Market Intervention Price of Rs 2,150 per quintal for the 2025-26 kharif season maize. However, the government plans to procure only 3.5 lakh quintals from Belagavi district under this scheme.
Farmers express deep concern about this limited procurement capacity. They fear many growers will miss the opportunity to sell at the assured price. This situation could force numerous farmers to accept lower market rates for their produce. Rising input costs make these lower prices particularly problematic for agricultural livelihoods.
Athani Leads District's Maize Production Areas
Athani remains the dominant maize-growing region within Belagavi district. Farmers there cultivated maize across 23,225 hectares this season. Other significant production areas include:
- Ramdurg with 20,910 hectares
- Savadatti with 13,581 hectares
- Chikodi with 13,309 hectares
- Gokak with 12,800 hectares
- Yaragatti with 11,666 hectares
- Mudalagi with 11,350 hectares
- Hukkeri with 7,794 hectares
- Kagawad with 5,115 hectares
How the Price Support Mechanism Operates
The market intervention scheme provides specific protections for maize farmers. When market prices drop below Rs 1,900 per quintal, the government offers compensation. This price difference support reaches up to Rs 250 per quintal. State authorities expect the program to benefit over 10 lakh maize farmers across Karnataka.
The scheme aims to prevent price collapse during surplus production periods. It also seeks to reduce distress selling among agricultural producers. Farmers must sell their maize through the unified marketing platform at designated APMCs and sub-market yards to qualify.
Procurement Limits and Implementation Details
Government procurement comes with specific restrictions. Each farmer can sell a maximum of 50 quintals under the scheme. Alternatively, the limit is 12 quintals per acre. After mandatory quality checks and document verification, compensation amounts transfer directly to farmers' bank accounts.
Belagavi district has established 11 procurement centers for this purpose. These centers operate in:
- Bailhongal
- Savadatti
- Gokak
- Ramdurg
- Sankeshwar
- Athani
- Nippani
- Kudachi
- Nandgad
- Yaragatti
- Kagawad
Farmer Concerns and Official Responses
Farmer leaders highlight several implementation issues. They note that nearly 40% of farmers already sold their maize before the scheme began. These early sellers now demand government incentives for their produce. Leaders also advocate increasing procurement limits by allowing an additional 50 quintals per farmer.
Sidagouda Modagi, president of the Bharateeya Krishik Samaj, provides important context. He explains that Belagavi farmers grow maize as both monsoon and winter crops. This dual cropping pattern results in production figures exceeding official estimates. Modagi urges the government to remove procurement limits entirely. He insists that quality grading and weighing should remain APMC responsibilities. The farmer leader argues that restricting procurement unfairly disadvantages agricultural producers.
Mahadevappa Chabanur, deputy director of the APMC, outlines the procurement timeline. Operations began on January 8 and will continue until February 8. Authorities may extend this period depending on the situation. Chabanur confirms that each farmer qualifies for assistance covering a maximum of 50 quintals of maize, following government guidelines.
