Belagavi
As directed by the government, a joint survey has been conducted by the revenue, agriculture, horticulture and sericulture departments in 11 taluks of the district and a report was submitted recently. According to sources from these departments, a few taluks have been affected to a great extent due to rainfall shortage.
This time, the farmer community is anxious due to delayed and weak monsoon across the state. Hence the demand that the affected taluks of the district should be declared drought-hit is echoing everywhere. Therefore, as per the government’s directions, a joint survey was conducted in Belagavi district.
According to sources from the department of agriculture, to date, out of the 7.1 lakh hectare sowing target in the district, 6.3 lakh hectares have been sown and 89 per cent of the target has been achieved. Due to a delay in rains, the monsoon season commenced with good rains after July 15 and then started declining. Despite this, 100 percent sowing has been done in 5 . In the area sown, 88 per cent cereals, 75 per cent pulses, 82 per cent oilseeds and 105 per cent commercial crops have been grown. During the monsoon season from June 1 to September 1, out of the expected 479 mm of rain, 421 mm of rain fell, which is a deficit of 12 percent. The rainfall decreased further in the month of August. Out of the 139 mm of rain that was expected in August, only 53 mm has fallen, showing a 62 percent rain deficit.
Belagavi, Kittur, Khanapur and Ramadurg taluks were not covered by the survey. Apart from these taluks, Athani, Kagvad, Bailhongal, Chikodi, Nippani Gokak, Mudalagi, Hukkeri, Raibag, Savadatti and Yaragatti taluks were surveyed.
