Coffee growers seek assurance from poll candidates

Madikeri, May 2 (UNI) The Karnataka Coffee Growers Federation has urged the candidates, contesting the Karnataka Assembly elections, to clearly state what measures they were going to take to solve the problems being faced by the Coffee Industry, if they win.

The Federation, in a release here said, the growers were suffering from the burden of loans, excess and untimely rainfalls and fluctuation in price.

The production would be down by 40 per cent this season due to heavy rainfall in February and March, the Federation said.

It accused the politicians of shedding "crocodile tears" without finding a permanent solution.

It also alleged that the Coffee Board had done nothing to stabilise the price or solve labour unrest, due to which the planters had incurred double loss last year.

UNI XR SJ 1851