Farmer’s Plight

• Crop failure during flowering and pod-setting due to lack of soil moisture.
• Result: Mounting debt and inability to avail crop insurance due to outdated land records.

Widespread Crisis

• Extent of Damage:
  • Kalaburagi district, known as the ‘Toor Bowl of Karnataka,’ has suffered extensive crop failure.
  • Statistics:
    • Red gram cultivated on 6.22 lakh hectares.
    • Crop on 2 lakh hectares destroyed.
  • Villages like Hawanur report complete devastation of 300 acres.
• Farmers’ Demands:
  • Compensation of ₹25,000 per acre.
  • Threat of protests outside Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi during the Winter Session if demands are unmet.

Causes of Crop Failure

• Rainfall Deficiency:
  • November rainfall: 5 mm (normal: 20 mm), a 70% deficit.
  • Critical growth stages affected: Flowering, pod-formation, and grain-filling.
• Soil Vulnerability:
  • Shallow black soil retains less moisture.
  • Cracked soil exposes roots, killing plants.
• Fungal Infestation:
  • Weak crops succumbed to Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungus thriving in dry conditions.

Expert Insights and Solutions

• Agriculture Department’s Perspective:
  • Ample water and nutrients are essential during pod-formation stages.
  • Crops in light soil are most vulnerable.
• Entomologists’ Recommendations:
  • Conserve soil moisture.
  • Provide water to plants whenever possible.

Government Intervention

• Assessment and Relief:
  • Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum inspected affected areas.
  • Directed IFFCO-Tokio to release ₹76.94 crore as interim relief under the localised calamity category.
  • Joint surveys by Agriculture and Revenue departments ordered to assess damage.
• Interim Relief:
  • 2 lakh insured farmers to receive payments under crop insurance.

Conclusion

The crisis in Karnataka’s red gram belt highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices, better insurance mechanisms, and timely government intervention to mitigate the impact of climate anomalies on farmers.