Farmers in North Karnataka, particularly in the Dharwad region under Raitha Sene Karnataka, have launched an indefinite protest in Navalgund taluk. Their key demand: opening government-run maize purchase centres so that they can sell at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticized the Union Government, accusing it of not purchasing maize according to established procurement rules. He pointed out that central agencies like NAFED and NCCF — tasked with procuring maize — have not opened the required centers. He further claimed that the Centre has imported 70 lakh metric tonnes of maize, which has disrupted local markets and left farmers in distress. Siddaramaiah has said he will write to the Union Government, urging it to stop maize imports and enforce procurement at MSP.
