CH NEWS, MAGADI
Bamul Director H.N. Ashok has urged the central government to extend the deadline for ragi crop insurance registration until August 30.
Speaking at a press conference at the Bamul office on Monday, he said irregular rainfall and dry spells had delayed sowing in Magadi taluk, leaving many farmers without insurance cover. He said extending the deadline would help protect farmers from possible losses caused by drought or excessive rainfall.
Ashok said August 14 was the earlier deadline for registration. He explained that farmers normally have to pay Rs. 400 as the insurance premium for one acre, but the minister would bear Rs. 200 from personal funds, reducing the financial burden on farmers. He requested remaining farmers to use the opportunity if the central government approves the extension.
Farmers can register through 23 primary agricultural cooperative societies in the taluk, as well as commercial banks, including Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Karnataka Bank and DCC banks. Officials urged rural milk producers’ cooperative societies to create awareness and encourage more farmers to enrol. Agriculture Department Director Vijaya Savanur said the taluk has about 26,000 hectares of farmland, with 575 hectares already covered, but warned that crop damage remains possible.
Ashok also said the Hemavati irrigation project would be completed within three to four months. Pipeline work had faced delays because of land compensation issues and court cases, but those problems have now been resolved. He appealed to farmers to make full use of crop insurance if the deadline is extended. Several local cooperative and civic representatives attended the meeting and supported the appeal for timely government action to protect farmers and their crops.
