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You Can Also Check: Officials have warned that up to 25% of total seasonal crop output may be lost. In Malnad region — famed for coffee, arecanut, cardamom, and spices — farmers have reported widespread devastation. "Coffee plantations have been hit by root damage, bean drop and fungus attacks," said a planter from Kodagu. "Our preliminary survey suggests losses may reach one-quarter of yield in certain pockets." In north Karnataka, low-lying fields in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Dharwad districts were submerged for weeks. "Our tur and black gram crops which were nearly ready are rotting in muddy water," said a Bagalkot farmer. "Harvest was only a week away. Now, everything is lost." Farmers' groups, including Uttara Karnataka Horata Samiti, have criticised slow compensation and crop insurance payments under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. "We demand the state govt pay compensation quickly," said Ramesh Gouda, a farmer. "The prolonged wait for compensation has worsened the crisis and farmers are falling into debt traps. We need cash assistance and interest-waiver on loans." In response, revenue minister Krisha Byre Gowda said joint surveys will be completed in a week. "From then, it may take us a week to make payments," he said. Agriculture officials agreed saying once reports are compiled, compensation under relevant norms (NDRF/SDRF) will be released and crop insurance claims expedited. In Kalaburagi, Priyank Kharge, rural development and panchayat raj minister defended the delay. "Due to the second leg of rain, survey operations have become challenging," he said. "Of three lakh farmers registered for crop insurance, 1.4 lakh (45%) have been affected. Compensation would be credited to farmers within a week." Priyank said Rs 600 crore had been secured for payouts, with Rs 40 crore remaining in district accounts. |
