BENGALURU: A helpline launched by the state government for the benefit of distressed farmers has surprisingly not received even a single call so far.
According to sources in the Agriculture Department, the helpline has been receiving calls
from farmers seeking information about the technical aspects of farming and other details like the right time for sowing, ideal fertilizer mix, pest control methods among others.
The helpline works in two shifts from 7 am to 9 pm.
Officials told Express that the toll-free number - 1800-425-3553 - receives about 600 to 900 calls every month.
“So far, we have not received any call from farmers airing their distress due to debt-related issues or seeking help against aggressive recovery tactics of private moneylenders,” one of the helpline attenders said.
“There may be a spurt in the cases relating to farmer suicides across the state, but it is business as usual for us at the desk,” the operator added.
The Agriculture Department had established the helpline to offer advise to farmers and assist them in distress and boost their confidence not only by agriculture experts but also by health specialists and other counsellors.
The department has also trained a few of its officials to prepare them to rush to the aid of farmers in distress.
Reacting to the lacklustre response to the helpline from farmers,
Maruthi Manpade, president of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha, said, “It demonstrates that people have lost confidence in the state government.”
Maintaining that the Agriculture Department, which is severely hit by shortage of staff, had lost its vision, he said, “The department has abandoned its extension programme for want of technical staff.”
Official Denies Allegations
However, Agriculture Department director Dharmarajan denied allegations of lack of publicity for the helpline.
“Adequate publicity was given both at taluk and panchayat level about the helpline. Suicides usually take place at the spur of the moment.
That could be the reason for farmers not making calls to the helpline,” he said.