“The Karnataka government fully understands the plight of farmers. We know that there are drought conditions across the State, except some districts. In such a situation, our government will stand by farmers. We will try to release the maximum amount of compensation to farmers who suffer crop loss,” said Minister M.B. Patil in Vijayapura on Sunday (August 9).

He was speaking to reporters after visiting farms in drought-hit areas. Mr. Patil said that he planning to visit the entire district to inspect the rain and crop situation.

“The Union government may declare a drought situation at the end of August. We are preparing all necessary documents in this regard,’’ he said, adding that a report will be submitted to the government after conducting detailed observations. The government will take appropriate decisions and measures as soon as the report is submitted.

“Officers tell me that only around 17% of land has been sown in Vijayapura district. In most places, there has been no sowing at all. I have seen this first hand. I have instructed officials to submit a comprehensive and scientific report to the State government,’’ he said.

He visited the fields of farmers in areas like Itinahalli, Madabhavi, Shivanagi, Devara Hipparagi, Bammanjogi, and Kannoli and spoke to farmers who are trying to grow crops like cotton, sugarcane, sunflower, and red gram.

“I have been closely monitoring the drought situation in the district since the beginning of monsoon. Initially, it was raining in Vijayapura district. But due to strong winds, it has reduced. The dry spell continues throughout the district. But there is no problem of drinking water for people and livestock in the district. There is sufficient water storage in the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs,’’ he said.

“Last year, over 97,000 farmers in the district had registered for crop insurance, and a relief of ₹235 crore was sanctioned. This year, the figure has risen sharply, with over 2.54 lakh farmers having registered for crop insurance,’’ the Minister noted.

Mr. Patil visited the two-acre rain-fed land of village farmer Somaninga Beerappa Hirekurubara at Madabhavi village. He received information from officials that the sunflowers, which were supposed to grow four feet in the prescribed period, had grown only one foot, resulting in a complete loss of yield.

Vitthal Katakadhond, Nagathan MLA, Ashok Managuli, Sindagi MLA, Deputy Commissioner Anand K., Zilla Panchayat CEO Rishi Anand, Deputy Secretary Prakash Vaddar, Joint Director of agriculture Shivanagouda Patil, Joint Director of Horticulture Siddaramaiah Baragimath, officials of various departments, and others were present.

Published - August 09, 2026 08:07 pm IST