Despite a record maize harvest this season, farmers in Belagavi district are expressing deep concern over mounting losses as market prices fall and support measures fall short. Belagavi saw an exceptionally high maize output, with production exceeding 6.9 lakh tonnes from around 1.4 lakh hectares of cultivated land. Areas such as Athani, Ramdurg, and Chikodi recorded some of the largest sowing figures this kharif season. However, farmers say limited government procurement under the Market Intervention Price (MIP) scheme is hurting their earnings. Although the Karnataka government fixed an MIP of ₹2,150 per quintal for the 2025-26 kharif season, it has announced plans to procure only 3.5 lakh quintals from Belagavi — a fraction of the total season’s output. Local growers argue that this restricted procurement window and the resulting delays in open support buying are forcing them to sell their harvest directly in the open market at lower rates. With maize prices in some mandis reportedly dropping by nearly 30 % within a short period, many farmers are anticipated to incur losses even after accounting for production costs. Under the official scheme, each farmer is allowed to sell up to 50 quintals at the support price — with compensation paid after quality checks and documentation — but this cap still excludes many growers who already sold their crop before the scheme began. Farmer leaders are now demanding expanded procurement quotas and reconsideration of early-seller eligibility so that a larger share of the bumper crop can be protected from distress sales.
