(Representative image) Karnataka is grappling with a staggering 50% downturn in agricultural and horticultural yields
BENGALURU: With an underwhelming monsoon showing no signs of revival and rain deficit in the state set to widen in coming weeks, Karnataka is likely to lose about 50% of its agriculture and horticulture harvest. Karnataka has declared 102 of its total 239 taluks ‘drought hit’; 26 more taluks may join the list in a week. The crisis-hit districts are Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajnagar, Hassan, Kolar and Chikkaballapura. In northern parts of the state, Haveri, Bidar and Raichur are seeing a serious drop in sowing. Crisis in cauvery dams too
We’re staring at a 50% crop loss,” said the official. Karnataka, as of the previous agriculture season, had 82.5 lakh hectares under agriculture production. This year, only 36.5 lakh hectares have seen sowing yet. Minister Eshwar Khandre said govt has assessed the state needs Rs 2,600 crore in relief measures for 101 taluks declared drought-hit.
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Preliminary estimates place the south-interior region as the worst hit, according to officials. “CM Shivakumar will likely seek additional compensation from the Centre,” Khandre said. “While we may see some crops being salvaged along irrigated lands, those dependent on rainfall will show little or zero yield this time. Download the TOI App.
“As per our preliminary assessment, of the 228 taluks facing drought-like situation, 122 have seen dry spells of three weeks consecutively.
This means the situation is dire for crop cultivation,” said a revenue department official.