Agricultural economist and former chairman of Karnataka Agriculture Prices Commission (KAPC), T.N. Prakash Kammaradi, has suggested to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to procure ragi and jowar from local farmers to be given as substitute to additional quantum of rice in the PDS instead of procuring rice from other States.
“More than hunger, it is malnutrition that is haunting people of Karnataka, especially women and children. Even the High Court of Karnataka has made an observation in this regard. Nutritional security can be taken care of by providing these nutri rich millets (ragi in southern Karnataka and jowar in northern Karnataka),” Dr. Kammaradi said, in a letter to the Chief Minister.
He suggested that the government should start giving 5 kg of ragi/jowar along with 5 kg of rice under PDS to people after consulting farmers’ organisations and experts.
