Bengaluru, August 19: Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured Karnataka Agriculture Minister Narendra Swamy that he will visit the State in the first week of September and inspect at least one drought-affected district.
Narendra Swamy met Chouhan in New Delhi and discussed the agricultural problems arising from deficient rainfall in Karnataka. Two ministers also discussed extending the deadline for farmers to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) until the end of August.
Swamy brought to Chouhan’s notice a letter written by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an extension of the crop insurance enrolment deadline.
According to Swamy, Chouhan assured him that his visit would not be limited to reviewing the drought situation. Centre would also respond to problems caused by the rainfall deficit in Karnataka, he said.
666 crop insurance units to get interim relief
With the crop insurance enrolment deadline approaching, farmers are facing difficulties, Swamy said. State has already ordered interim compensation in 666 crop insurance units, he said.
Swamy added that Karnataka was implementing Centrally sponsored schemes effectively and would continue to coordinate with the Union Government to safeguard farmers’ interests.
‘Rain is the only solution now’
On the issue of releasing water for agricultural activities while water is also being released to Tamil Nadu, Swamy said there was no need to hide the State’s position.
Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir has only around 109 feet of water, which, according to the Minister, would not be sufficient even for farmers to raise one crop across the State.
He also pointed to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority directing Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. “Rain is the only solution to this problem now,” Swamy said.
He acknowledged that releasing water for agricultural activities would be difficult under the present circumstances. A decision on releasing water would be taken after reviewing availability at a meeting, he said.
Proposed visit by the Union Agriculture Minister comes at a crucial time for Karnataka farmers, with rainfall deficiency, crop insurance and water availability emerging as major concerns for the agricultural sector.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan Karnataka visit, Karnataka drought, Karnataka farmers, Narendra Swamy, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Karnataka crop insurance, Citizen News Puttur, Agri News, Agriculture News,