Bangarappa has directed officials to speed up crop damage surveys in Shivamogga following heavy rains.
CH News
Shivamogga
State School Education and Literacy Department and District In-charge Minister Madhu S. Bangarappa has instructed officials to prioritize crop damage surveys in Shivamogga, so that affected farmers can receive timely relief.
Addressing a press conference at his office on Tuesday, the Minister said that due to continuous rainfall this monsoon, about 45,000 hectares of areca nut crop have been hit by rot disease, while maize grown in thousands of hectares has also suffered extensive damage. He stressed that the concerned department officials must quickly provide detailed reports on the extent of crop loss, which is expected to rise further.
Bangarappa added that he has already held consultations with scientists from the Agriculture and Horticulture University on measures to control areca nut rot disease. Officials have also been directed to share information about preventive steps to minimize further crop damage.
The Minister demanded that the Central Government announce adequate compensation to bring genuine relief to affected farmers, noting that the amount declared so far is “negligible.” He said any discriminatory approach in disbursing compensation would be unacceptable. He also proposed establishing a branch of the Coconut Development Board in Shivamogga district.
Apart from agricultural concerns, Bangarappa highlighted the need to repair rain-damaged roads in urban and town areas. He announced that under the Pragatipath scheme, the state government will release around ₹50 crore to develop at least 50 km of main roads in each assembly constituency of the district.
