Karnataka government is fully prepared to extend helping hands to distressed farmers in Raichur: Minister Ajay Dharam Singh

The State government is fully prepared to rescue distressed farmers who are facing crop damages due to acute rainfall deficiency in the Raichur district, Minister Ajay Dharam Singh said on Friday (August 7).

​Speaking to reporters after reviewing the drought situation at Ramadurga Cross in Gabbur Hobli, Devadurga taluk, he highlighted the worsening agricultural crisis across the district.

“The ​sowing had been carried out in lakhs of hectares, with cotton being the primary crop. However, owing to inadequate rainfall, farmers were forced to re-sow up to three times. Despite their repeated efforts, crops failed to thrive. Over the past week, the complete lack of rain has led to widespread crop withering, leaving the farming community in severe hardship,” Dr. Singh said.

​He said, “Along with the Deputy Commissioner and officials from the Revenue and Agriculture departments, we are visiting every taluk to assess the ground reality first-hand. A comprehensive district-level report is being prepared and will be submitted to the Chief Minister shortly.”

“Distressed farmers have demanded a compensation of ₹50,000 per acre. High-level consultations will be conducted soon to decide on providing the maximum possible relief package to the affected farmers,” Dr. Singh said.

Shivaraj S. Patil, Basanagowda Daddal, MLA’s A. Vasanth Kumar MLC, Pavan Kishore Patil, President of the Raichur Taluk Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee; Deputy Commissioner Poovitha S, Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat Eshwar Kumar Kandoo, Superintendent of Police Arunangshu Giri, Commissioner of the Raichur City Corporation Zubin Mohapatra, Raichur Assistant Commissioner Hampanna Sajjan, Tahsildar Suresh Verma, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department Prakash Chavan, Deputy Joint Director Naheem Hussain, Assistant Director Deepa Kulkarni, along with officials, staff, and leaders from various departments were present.