Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting immediate central intervention to protect farmers from the devastating grain price crash affecting the state.
Massive Crop Cultivation Faces Market Crisis
The Chief Minister revealed that Karnataka has witnessed extensive cultivation during the current Kharif season, with maize covering over 17.94 lakh hectares and green gram cultivated across more than 4.16 lakh hectares. This substantial agricultural output now faces severe market challenges due to the price collapse.
Urgent MSP Protection Needed
In his appeal dated November 22, 2025, Siddaramaiah specifically requested the Prime Minister to direct central agencies to initiate procurement operations under the Minimum Support Price mechanism. The price crash has put thousands of farmers in financial distress despite their successful cultivation efforts.
The timing of this appeal coincides with the peak harvesting season, making immediate intervention crucial to prevent widespread farmer distress. The state government emphasizes that central procurement at MSP would provide much-needed price stability and ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
Broader Implications for Agricultural Economy
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in India's agricultural pricing mechanisms. The significant investment made by Karnataka farmers in maize and green gram cultivation now risks turning into substantial financial losses without proper price support.
The Chief Minister's intervention underscores the critical need for robust safety nets in agricultural marketing, particularly for crops that have seen expanded cultivation due to government encouragement and favorable weather conditions.
