CHITRADURGA: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the state government has appealed to the Centre for compensation of Rs 4,860 crore as per NDRF guidelines, but the loss incurred is more than Rs 30,000 crore due to drought in the state.
He was speaking after inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Babbur Farms Millets Mela and Symposium on Horticultural crops at the Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agriculture and Horticulture Sciences on October 6.
“Crops were sown in an area of 80 lakh hectares and 42 lakh hectares of crops have been damaged. The state and the farmers are in trouble. Although we appealed to the Centre for Rs 4,860 crore compensation, the loss we have incurred is more than Rs 30,000 crore. All this is being reviewed by the Central Drought Study Team. Chitradurga is a drought-prone district and is affected even more. Whatever the compensation provided by the Central government, our government is committed to ensuring that our people, farmers and livestock are not troubled”, Siddaramaiah said.
“There is no good price for the crop. Heavy rains, scanty rains and droughts are affecting the farmers. Therefore, pro-farmer research should be carried out in accordance with the changed environment. All the taluks of Chitradurga district are affected by drought”, he added.
The CM also stressed on more research in agriculture and horticulture universities and added that the government is ready to provide all assistance.
“Research should be increased in agriculture and horticulture universities. In the backdrop of climate change, a study must be conducted regarding crops that are feasible and which will benefit the farmers. It does not matter how many graduates come out of agricultural universities. It is important as to how many varieties have been developed”, Siddaramaiah said.
The CM further said the government is ready and committed to providing all assistance for research. However, it is up to the researchers to conduct research for a variety and medicines for diseases and immunity booster medicines.
MLAs T Raghumurthy, Dr A Chandrappa, K C Veerendra Pappi, N Y Gopalakrishna, B J Govindappa, MLCs Dr Y A Narayanaswamy, Chidananda M Gowda, former Lok Sabha member M Chandrappa, former minister H Anjaneya, agricultural expert Ekanthaiah, progressive farmers and officers were present at the event. (ANI)