Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday warned that the state is facing a severe drought threat, urging farmers, particularly those in sericulture, to prepare for water scarcity. Speaking after inaugurating the district-level sericulture growers' workshop and the seminar on ‘my silk, my pride’, organised by the Department of Sericulture, Parameshwara highlighted the urgent need for adaptive measures.
Deputy CM Highlights Water Crisis
Parameshwara stated that the state has received below-average rainfall this monsoon season, leading to depleted reservoirs and groundwater levels. According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, the state recorded a 30% deficit in rainfall as of early July. The deputy CM emphasised that sericulture, which relies heavily on mulberry cultivation, is particularly vulnerable to drought conditions.
“We must act now to mitigate the impact of drought on our farmers. The sericulture sector supports thousands of families, and we cannot afford to lose this livelihood,” Parameshwara said. He urged the Department of Sericulture to provide training on water-efficient farming techniques and drought-resistant mulberry varieties.
Government Measures and Farmer Support
The deputy CM announced that the state government is preparing a contingency plan, including the distribution of drought relief funds and subsidies for drip irrigation systems. He noted that the government has already allocated Rs 500 crore for drought mitigation in the current budget. Additionally, the Karnataka Agricultural Drought Relief Fund will be used to compensate affected farmers.
Parameshwara also called for a coordinated effort between the agriculture and sericulture departments to ensure timely intervention. He stressed the importance of early warning systems and community-based water management to reduce the risk of crop failure.
Impact on Sericulture Sector
Karnataka is the largest producer of silk in India, contributing over 60% of the country's total silk output. The sericulture sector employs approximately 2.5 million people in the state. A prolonged drought could severely impact mulberry cultivation, leading to reduced cocoon production and income loss for farmers. According to the Department of Sericulture, the state produced 10,000 metric tons of silk in the last fiscal year, but drought conditions could slash production by up to 20%.
Farmers at the workshop expressed concerns over the lack of adequate water storage facilities and the rising cost of inputs. One farmer, Ramesh, from Ramanagara district, said, “We are already struggling with low yields due to erratic rains. Without government support, many of us may have to abandon sericulture.”
Call for Long-Term Solutions
Parameshwara emphasised that short-term relief alone is insufficient and called for long-term solutions such as watershed development, rainwater harvesting, and the promotion of alternative crops. He also urged the central government to declare drought-affected areas a national disaster to unlock additional funds. “We need a comprehensive strategy to build resilience against climate change,” he added.
The workshop concluded with a resolution to adopt sustainable sericulture practices and strengthen the state's drought preparedness. The Department of Sericulture will conduct follow-up training sessions in drought-prone districts over the next month.
