Drought inevitable in Karnataka? 12 districts suffer crop loss

It seems Karnataka will be hit by drought this year as well, since the monsoon has failed Around 1.84 lakh arecanut trees and 1.60 lakh coconut trees are standing barren The state has been reeling under drought for 13 years and this year the situation is much more severe

There is a clear indication that Karnataka will be hit by drought this year too. Even before the monsoon season has ended, a huge loss of horticulture crops has been reported. In 12 districts of the state, coconut and arecanut crops have completely dried up. Around 1.84 lakh arecanut trees and 1.60 lakh coconut trees are standing barren without producing any fruit. The farmers are already facing the brunt of crop failure. Law Minister TB Jayachandra is going to appeal for aid from the Central government, reports Kannada Prabha.

Speaking with mediapersons on Tuesday, Jayachandra said the state is reeling under drought for about 13 years and this year the situation is worse. Almost all districts are reporting failure of coconut and arecanut crops. The state had cultivated coconut in 5.6 lakh hectares and of that, two lakh hectares of coconut trees have dried out.  Arecanut was cultivated in 2.6 lakh hectares and 51,000 hectares have completely dried up. 

There has been drought before, but this time the symptoms are much more severe. Several trees have lost their very core - implying they will not survive. This is the first time farmers are facing such a situation. Jayachandra said data will be collected in this regard and a report will be submitted to Central government by August 15 - seeking drought relief aid.

Jayachandra expressed shock at the severity of the drought, stating that he had not witnessed a drought of this calamity in forty years. Monsoon is over by 60 per cent and only 40 per cent is remaining. Not much can be expected of the 40 per cent. There is going to be acute drinking water shortage, he explained.

The Central government has changed it's Natural Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) guidelines, which will make a drastic cut in the drought relief to the state. The Central government will be convinced to change its guidelines, he said.  He also said that the state will appeal for formulating a distress policy for Cauvery water distribution.