Kalaburagi : Farmers in Kalaburagi district, reeling under crop losses amid drought conditions, are facing another setback, with banks issuing notices demanding repayment of agricultural loans. Some farmers have also alleged that their accounts are being frozen over unpaid dues, sparking fears over access to crop insurance compensation.
What is to become of us?” said Siddanna, a farmer from Ladamugali village in Kamalapura taluk, with tears in his eyes. Farmers are worried whether crop insurance payouts can be accessed if their bank accounts are frozen. With monsoon rainfall falling short of expectations, crops sown across the district have suffered, leaving growers without anticipated income even as their debts mount. “We initially took a loan and sowed green gram this monsoon, but when that failed, we tilled the land and spent further to sow red gram. Yet, the crop hasn’t even sprouted. At a time like this, the bank has sent a notice demanding loan repayment. There is no crop on one hand, and the debt isn’t decreasing on the other. Farmers in the district, already distressed by crop losses following deficient rainfall, say loan recovery notices have added to their worries. It has come to light that banks are sending notices to farmers, including those in several villages of Kamalapura taluk, seeking repayment of agricultural loans taken three or four years ago. Farmers have further alleged that accounts of those who failed to repay loans within the stipulated period are being frozen.
Consequently, many growers have lost their expected income while continuing to shoulder debt, leaving them staring at mounting financial losses. With monsoon rainfall failing to meet expectations across the district, farmers say several crops have suffered. Farmers are now grappling with the question of how to repay loans taken for agricultural activities after suffering crop failure.