217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks drought-hit, says Deputy Chief Minister after Koppal crop tour

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara toured Koppal district on Thursday to assess crop damage caused by the prevailing drought in the Koppal, Yelburga and Kushtagi taluks, and said 217 of Karnataka's 240 taluks have already been declared drought-hit.

The assessment visit began at Vanaballari village in Koppal taluk, where Mr. Parameshwara inspected maize and tur crops on the field of farmer Shivappa Mudukappa Goudra, and tur and horse gram crops on the fields of B. Krishnamurthy and D. Hosalli Seema. He was accompanied by Koppal Lok Sabha member K. Rajshekhar Hitnal and MLA K. Raghavendra Hitnal.

At Gunnal village in Yelburga taluk, he inspected the tur crop of Mahesh Hanumanthayya and the maize crop of Channabasavva Eshappa Ullagaddi. He later visited Nandapur village in Kushtagi taluk, where he examined the tur crop of farmer Karadappa Channabasappa. Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal and Agriculture Department officials briefed him on the extent of the damage.

Farmers told the Deputy Chief Minister that their crops had failed because of the lack of rainfall. The crops had not developed properly and grains had failed to form during the prolonged dry spell, they said, urging the government to provide adequate compensation for the losses.

Speaking to media representatives during the tour, Mr. Parameshwara said the drought situation in the State had become severe and that farmers were facing distress as crops had suffered extensive damage. He said he was touring Koppal and other districts to personally assess the severity of the drought and the difficulties faced by farmers.

Of the State's 240 taluks, 217 had already been declared drought-hit, he said. The situation was more severe in Koppal and neighbouring northern Karnataka districts such as Vijayanagara, Ballari and Raichur than in the Mysuru region, he added. Crop damage in Vijayanagara district stood at around 98%, he said, and crops across Koppal district had also been damaged due to deficient rainfall.

Describing the situation as one of the worst droughts the State has faced, the Deputy Chief Minister said farmers were finding it difficult to repay loans and were under severe financial stress.

"The State government is giving priority to drought management and ensuring drinking water supply. Steps are also being taken to provide wage employment to affected farmers and rural households, apart from ensuring that crop insurance compensation reaches farmers who have lost their crops due to the drought," he said.

In India, taluks are declared drought-hit by State governments on the basis of rainfall deficiency and crop loss assessments, a step that makes them eligible for relief measures such as compensation, drinking water arrangements and rural wage employment. Crop insurance claims in Karnataka are processed under the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, under which farmers pay a share of the premium and the balance is shared by the Centre and the State.

Officials who accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister included Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Varnith Negi, Superintendent of Police Sahil Bagla, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sidrameshwar, Joint Director of Agriculture G.D. Krishnamurthy, Joint Director of Horticulture Krishna Ukkund and Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. P.M. Mallaiah.