Help the Catholic Farmers of Balkunje Parish! Buy Sugarcane at Cheap Rate for Monthi Fest! TO ORDER SUGARCANE at Rs 18 a piece CALL : 9740279367
Mangaluru: Supply-chain distortion of farm produce owing to the lockdown over COVID-19 has hurt both farmers and consumers. There have been reports from across the state of farmers, in despair, destroying their own crop. Many farmers with no labour for harvesting and no transportation facilities to take it to the market, had their produce left to rot in the field. Many have demanded that the government provide compensation to them, but their requests and efforts are all in vain. Yet another problem is the severe labour crunch in villages. Labourers and drivers are scared and are not coming to work.
There is palpable anger against the government and elected representatives over what is being called an “ill-planned lockdown” and the government not coming to the rescue of farmers. Among such farmers in the State, are farmers who belong to the St Paul Church in Balkunje, near Kinnigoli in the outskirts of Mangaluru, and every year they cultivate Sugarcane to be sold to various parishes and other organizations during the Feast of Monthi Fest, and also during Ganesh Chaturthi. One framer speaking to Team Mangalorean said “We don’t want the government’s free LPG and rice. What I and other farmers like me need is a market for the produce that we have grown in our fields. We need customers to buy our produce, which we have worked hard to grow them”.
While many leaders and activists have come down heavily on both the Union and State governments for “shedding crocodile tears” for farmers. Yes, farmers are suffering huge losses for no fault of theirs. The government must ensure minimum support price for all crops, failing which it must provide compensation to farmers. And while the government is showing negligence towards these farmers, the support and help from the faithful is very much solicited towards these farmers of Balkunje Parish, where nearly 50 families have grown sugarcane, and are anticipating buyers before they face losses.
In a circular sent by Fr Gilbert D’Souza, the parish priest of St Paul’s Church-Balkunje on behalf of his parishioners, where many are farmers states, “Since decades the poor families of our Parish earn their living by growing vegetables, fruits, and especially during Monthi Fest, large produce of sugarcane is cultivated every year, and this year there is a yield of nearly 1 and a half lakh sugarcane, and these farmers have done this cultivation by getting a loan from the bank. But due to the pandemic, the sales have gone down, since there are restrictions to celebrate feasts due to the pandemic. But as a tradition Catholics will celebrate Monthi Fest, and as part of the feast, Sugarcane is distributed in the parishes as a tradition. Last year each sugarcane was sold at Rs 25, but this year the price has been slashed down to Rs 18 per piece, which could be availed by the faithful or parishes in the area at the earliest before the stock runs out. Your support and encouragement will be greatly appreciated by these poor parishioners, who are making a living out of farming. Let COVID-19 not put them in more despair and distress. Please help these farmers in ordering sugarcane in advance for Monthi Fest”.
TO ORDER SUGARCANE CALL: 9740279367 (And mention Code Word: Mangalorean.com)
