MADIKERI: Ginger cultivators in Kodagu are facing dual challenges with plummeting prices and widespread crop diseases, specifically soft rot and bacterial wilt. Affected farmers are seeking compensation from the state authorities.Previously, farmers received substantial returns, with a 60-kilo ginger bag fetching between Rs 4500 and Rs 5000. However, in the past two years, prices drastically reduced to Rs 500-600 per 60-kilo bag. Additionally, numerous farmlands in the district are now affected by soft rot, yellowing, and bacterial wilt disease.Ginger cultivators from Mysuru, Hassan, and Kodagu have united to seek adequate compensation for significant crop losses. “Besides the price decline, disease has affected acres of ginger cultivation. The situation has left us unable to clear our loans or land rent,” said Nagaraj Shetty, a farmer. The disease outbreak particularly affected farms in Kushalnagar and Kudige, prompting farmers from neighbouring districts to join the demand for compensation.HN Rajashekar, President of Ginger Growers and Traders Association, Mysuru-Kodagu, stated, “Ginger growers are in complete distress due to the deadly diseases affecting the ginger crops. The govt must provide up to Rs 3 lakh crop loss compensation to the affected ginger farmers.” He highlighted the disease’s rapid spread and farmers’ inability to control it. “Due to this, ginger growers are suffering losses of lakhs of rupees. The price of ginger crops is very low this season and the farming class is in distress. The concerned agricultural officials should immediately pay attention to this and submit a report to the govt. Ginger growers should immediately be given compensation of Rs 3 lakh per acre,” he emphasised. Additionally, he requested the govt to establish a Minimum Support Price of Rs 2000 per 60-kilo bag.
