BANGALURU: The state, which had suffered loss of kharif crop due to failure of the South-west Monsoon, is in for some more trouble as standing rabi crop on about 22 lakh hectares has perished across the 12 districts in North Karnataka.
The unprecedented dry spell, which prevailed in most parts of the region, may result in the state being unable to reach the foodgrain production target for 2015-16, which was pegged at about 140 lakh tonnes.
According to official sources, the rabi crop, which was sown in over 30.36 lakh hectares in North Karnataka, was hit by a severe dry spell, ranging from 6 to 10 weeks. The withering crops are unlikely to recover.
“The rabi crops, including cereals, oil seeds and pulses, are either partially or fully perished,” a senior official in the disaster management cell told Express.
According to an assessment by the Agriculture Department, the North-east monsoon, which had started on a promising note in the first week of October, failed completely in the subsequent weeks.
While, the North-east monsoon recorded 177.99 mm of rain this year as against the normal of about 185.70 mm, accounting for about 4 per cent deficit, the quantum of rain received in the 12 North Karnataka districts was abysmally low, recording a deficit of over 54 per cent.
Noting that as per an initial line-estimate, the economic loss due to failure of rabi crop was around `7,000 crore, the official said, “It is only an early estimate and it may go on to the higher side as there is no sign the dry spell ending.”
The districts that were hit by the dry spell are Ballari, Koppal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Bidar, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Gadag and Haveri.
About 56 of the 59 taluks in north Karnataka region have been hit by the failure of North-east monsoon, sources added.
Rajkumar Khatri, Secretary, Revenue Department, said, “We are assessing the situation and compiling the data from various districts.”
“A report will be submitted to the state government to approach the Centre seeking financial assistance to announce compensation to farmers who would suffer heavy financial loss due to drought conditions,” he said.