Mysuru (Karnataka), Sep 2 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara inspected drought-affected agricultural fields in Nanjangud taluk on Wednesday to review crop damage caused by prolonged monsoon deficits.
The deputy CM interacted with the farmers whose crops have been damaged due to inadequate rainfall.
On the second day of his visit to Mysuru district to assess the drought situation, Parameshwara visited Gattawadi village and inspected fields where farmers have suffered crop losses following a prolonged rain deficit.
The distressed farmers told the Deputy CM that they had borrowed money to cultivate their crops and were now facing severe financial difficulties after the crops failed. They appealed to the government for financial assistance and other relief measures to help them recover their losses.
Parameshwara sought detailed information from officials at the spot about the rainfall situation, sowing and extent of crop damage in Nanjangud taluk.
Officials informed him that the taluk normally sees cultivation of cowpea on around 4,500 hectares, black gram on 4,200 hectares, green gram on 3,500 hectares, maize on 3,400 hectares and cotton on around 8,000 hectares.
However, deficient rainfall this year has sharply affected agricultural activity. Sowing has been taken up in only around 3,500 hectares in the taluk. Officials said even the crops that were sown had been severely affected by the prolonged dry spell.
Parameshwara also visited the fields of farmers Shivabasappa and Mahadevappa, where maize and sunflower crops had dried up due to the lack of rainfall. After hearing the farmers’ grievances and reviewing the assessment provided by officials, he assured them that steps would be taken to provide relief at the earliest.
The drought situation in Karnataka also comes amid the longstanding Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The two neighbouring states have frequently differed over the sharing and release of Cauvery water, particularly during periods of deficient rainfall.
Nanjangud MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, the Nanjangud tahsildar, agriculture department officials and others were present during the inspection.
–IANS
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