Ktk fix Rs 4,000 as SMP for per quintal of Turdal

Bangalore,Jan 18 (PTI) Karnataka Government today fixed Rs4,000 per quintal of turdal as the State Minimum Price andlaunched procurement of the produce from its 30 procurementcentres to check crash in prices.

Anticipating a good harvest of turdal in parts ofNorth Karnataka and to arrest fall in prices which mightaffect growers, the state cabinet at its meeting heretoday decided to fix Rs 3,000 SMP per quintal, extending Rs1,000 as additional incentive.

Stater Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti told reportersthat the government will open 30 procurement centres inGulbarga, Bidar, Raichur and Bijapur from tomorrow andpurchase whatever be the arrival.

It has been decided to help farmers who lost theirturdal crops following sowing of spurious seeds, he said, butdid not elaborate.