Continuous pre-monsoon and monsoon rainfall has damaged crops across all eight taluks of Haveri district, pushing farmers into financial distress.
Haveri
Heavy rainfall in Haveri district has caused extensive crop damage, plunging farmers into severe distress. Continuous showers since the pre-monsoon period have flooded agricultural fields, destroying crops. An earlier break in the rains had already led to poor germination, forcing farmers to re-sow and further aggravating their situation. However, the persistent rainfall during the sowing process allowed weeds, including thorny shrubs, to flourish in maize fields. Currently, nearly 98 percent of the district’s targeted 3.2 lakh hectares of agricultural land were sown during the monsoon season.
Excessive rainfall has adversely affected crops across all eight taluks of the district. Both heavy downpours and continuous drizzle contributed to crop damage, with some taluks reporting severe losses while others faced partial damage. Rising water levels in riverbank areas have caused additional flooding, further destroying crops. Despite some farmers having sown their fields twice, the prospects of a successful harvest remain bleak.
Many farmers, who borrowed thousands of rupees for seeds, fertilizers, labor, and sowing expenses, are now facing significant financial setbacks. Crop damage has been reported over a total of 23,007 hectares, including 22,612 hectares of agricultural crops and 395.8 hectares of horticultural crops.
Officials from the agriculture, horticulture, and revenue departments are conducting joint surveys, visiting farmers’ fields to assess the extent of the damage. However, representatives have reportedly not been visiting some fields for inspections. Criticizing this, Manjunath Gowda Shivannanavar, JD(S) District President, urged the government to promptly provide compensation to the affected farmers.
K. Mallikarjun, Joint Director of Agriculture, stated that the district has received over 43,000 applications from farmers seeking compensation for crop damage. An estimate report has already been submitted to the district administration, and joint surveys are currently underway in Byadagi, Hirekerur, Hanagal, Haveri, and Shiggaon taluks. He clarified that once the surveys are completed, the report will be submitted to the government.
