Farmers in Karnataka's Kalaburagi district are pinning their hopes on Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to declare the region drought-hit, as the area has not received rainfall for the last two to three weeks. Despite forecasts predicting precipitation, the district continues to face dry conditions, raising concerns among the agricultural community.
Rain Deficit Persists Despite Forecasts
The district has experienced a significant rainfall deficit during the critical monsoon period. According to local meteorological data, Kalaburagi has recorded no rainfall for over 15 days, even as the India Meteorological Department had forecasted normal to above-normal rains for the region. This discrepancy has left farmers anxious about their standing crops, particularly pulses and oilseeds sown in the kharif season.
"We were expecting good rains based on the forecasts, but the skies have remained clear for weeks. Our crops are wilting, and we have no alternative irrigation sources," said Basavaraj Patil, a farmer from the Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi.
Farmers Appeal to Chief Minister
A delegation of farmers from various taluks in Kalaburagi has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner's office, urging the state government to initiate the process for declaring the district drought-hit. They have requested that CM D K Shivakumar personally intervene and conduct a survey of the affected areas.
"The situation is dire. We request the Chief Minister to visit our fields and see the damage firsthand. An early drought declaration will help us get compensation and relief measures," said Sharanappa Gouda, a farmer leader from Aland taluk.
Government's Response and Relief Measures
The Karnataka government has not yet officially responded to the demands. However, sources in the Revenue Department indicate that a preliminary assessment is underway to evaluate the extent of the rainfall deficit and crop loss. The state government has already declared drought in several other districts earlier this year, and Kalaburagi may be added to the list if conditions worsen.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also holds the portfolio of Revenue, has assured farmers that their concerns will be addressed. "We are monitoring the situation closely. If the data confirms a drought-like situation, we will not hesitate to declare it and provide all necessary support to the farmers," he said in a recent press conference.
Impact on Agriculture and Economy
Kalaburagi is one of the major agricultural districts in Karnataka, known for its production of tur (pigeon pea), sunflower, and groundnut. The prolonged dry spell has already damaged crops on over 50,000 hectares, according to preliminary estimates from the Department of Agriculture. If rains do not arrive in the next week, the crop loss could exceed 70% in some taluks.
The agricultural distress is also affecting the local economy, with many farmers unable to repay loans taken for seeds and fertilizers. The district has seen a rise in farmer distress calls, with several cases of crop failure reported.
Future Outlook
Meteorologists have predicted that the monsoon may revive in the region by the second week of July, but farmers remain skeptical given the repeated failures of forecasts. They are now looking to the state government for immediate relief, including the supply of fodder for livestock and provision of drinking water in rural areas.
"We are hoping that the Chief Minister will act swiftly. Every day without rain is a day closer to disaster for us," added Patil.
