Due to the shortage of the South-West monsoon and irregular rainfall, it is estimated that food production in Karnataka has decreased from an estimated 111 lakh tons to 58 lakh tons. The most significant loss has been observed in the maize crop, covering 11.84 lakh hectares.
Following that, there have been losses in the pigeon pea (tuvar) crop on 7.16 lakh hectares, finger millet (ragi) on 4.45 lakh hectares, cotton (kapas) on 4.04 lakh hectares, groundnut and sugarcane on 2.7 lakh hectares, soybean on 2.2 lakh hectares, and rice on 2.2 lakh hectares. According to the department's data, the total loss is estimated at 39.74 lakh hectares. Drought has been declared in 195 taluks (administrative regions) of the state.
Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy stated to reporters on Thursday that due to the dry conditions during this Kharif season, there is an expected 50% reduction in food production in the state. Efforts will be made to balance food production during the upcoming monsoon. He mentioned that crops such as rice, finger millet, pigeon pea, groundnut, cotton, and sorghum have been severely affected. Based on the region, officials have been directed to suggest alternative crops to farmers.
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