Central team to submit report on Karnataka drought in 12 days

A Central government team that has assessed drought situation in Karnataka is likely to submit the final report in the next 12 days.
The Karnataka government had submitted a memorandum to the Centre declaring drought in 27 districts out of 30 and seeking a financial assistance of Rs 3,050 crore to provide relief to farmers. A central team constituted by the Union Agriculture Ministry visited the state on September 9-12.
"We covered 19 districts. Most crops including tur, onion and cotton have been affected. We have done the assessment and will submit the final report in the next 12 days," Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry R B Sinha told reporters after visiting the state.

Noting that irrigated crops have also been affected due to lack of power supply, the official said that the state, which depends 70 per cent on hydro power, has been able to generate 400 MW against the installed capacity of 3,500 MW due to deficit rains.
Coarse cereals like ragi, jowar, bajra, pulses like tur and cash crops such as cotton have been stunted and yields have been affected, the official said.
Initially, the state received good monsoon. But rains weakened during July-August, the crucial period for crop growth and grain formation. For instance in Bijapur, rainfall deficiency was 60 per cent in July and 73 per cent in August, he added.

Sinha, who headed the team, however said that the recent spell of rains in north interior parts of Karnataka has improved soil moisture and will boost early sowing of rabi (winter) crops.