Ballari farmers' body urges immediate drought relief, loan waiver, job guarantee

The Ballari district committee of the All India Kisan Khet Majdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) has urged the Karnataka government to begin drought relief works immediately in the district, highlighting severe hardship faced by farmers and rural agricultural workers due to inadequate rainfall and drought-like conditions.

In a memorandum submitted to the authorities on Friday, the organisation said the slowdown in agricultural activities has significantly reduced employment opportunities for rural people. As a result, many families are struggling to meet basic needs, and an increasing number of people are being forced to migrate in search of work, it said.

The organisation has called for an immediate start of drought relief works in affected areas, an increase in the number of working days under employment guarantee schemes, and continuous employment opportunities for rural households. It also demanded that wages be paid without delay.

Among the specific demands, the AIKKMS has asked for a complete waiver of bank loans taken by farmers, immediate declaration of Siruguppa taluk as drought-affected, and prompt release of compensation for crop losses. The organisation also urged the government to take urgent measures to address drinking water shortages and ensure adequate availability of fodder for livestock.

The memorandum emphasised that providing continuous employment locally is essential to prevent the forced migration of rural populations. The organisation argued that without immediate intervention, the distress in rural areas could deepen further.

Ballari district, located in the semi-arid region of Karnataka, has been experiencing erratic rainfall over recent years. Agriculture, which is the primary livelihood for most residents, has been severely affected. Monsoon failures have led to repeated crop losses and depletion of groundwater resources. Farmers in several taluks have struggled to cultivate even rain-fed crops.

Siruguppa taluk, in particular, has been identified by the AIKKMS as requiring immediate drought declaration. Such a declaration would make the area eligible for a range of government relief and support measures.

According to the memorandum, rural households are finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the absence of work. The lack of income has not only worsened poverty but also hampered access to food, health care, and education. The organisation has stressed that timely intervention by the government is critical to mitigate the crisis.

The All India Kisan Khet Majdoor Sangathan is a nationwide organisation that works for the rights of farmers and agricultural labourers. It often raises issues related to land rights, wages, and rural welfare. In many states, it has been active in demanding effective implementation of employment guarantee and drought-relief programmes.

The district administration has not yet responded publicly to the memorandum. Officials familiar with the matter said that the demands would be examined in accordance with existing regulations and resource availability.

The AIKKMS has stated that it will continue to press for these demands and may escalate its agitation if no satisfactory action is taken. However, the organisation has indicated that it prefers dialogue with the authorities to resolve the issues amicably.

Residents of the affected areas have expressed hope that the government will act promptly. Many families have already sent some members to nearby cities in search of daily wage work, leaving the elderly and children behind. Local activists have pointed out that if relief works are initiated without delay, such migration could be reduced significantly.

The government, for its part, has various drought-relief mechanisms in place, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which provides 100 days of guaranteed employment to rural households. The demand to increase the number of working days is a reference to extending this guarantee to 150 or 200 days in drought-affected areas, a provision that has been implemented in certain states during severe droughts.

Crop insurance payouts and loan waivers are also instruments that governments have used to support distressed farmers. The effectiveness of these measures, however, depends on the prompt assessment of crop damages and the availability of funds.

The situation in Ballari reflects the broader challenges faced by rain-fed agricultural regions across India. Climate change has made rainfall patterns more unpredictable, increasing the frequency of droughts. Experts argue that long-term solutions require investment in irrigation, watershed management, and crop diversification.

For now, the immediate demands of the AIKKMS focus on providing relief to those who have been pushed to the brink. The response of the Karnataka government to the memorandum will be closely watched, not only by the farmers of Ballari but also by other districts facing similar conditions.