Mysuru: Due to incessant drought in the district, the condition of farmers is turning from bad to worse, said J Shrivastava, Additional Secretary of Union Agriculture Department.
Shrivastava, along with his team members comprising Anuradha, Research Officer, NITI Aayog, New Delhi; V Mohan Murali, Superintendent Engineer, Ministry of Water Resources and Sachdeva, Director, Ministry of Finance were in Mysuru here on Saturday to assess the drought situation in the district.
Before Shrivastava and his team members started their tour, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep gave a Powerpoint presentation on the prevailing drought situation across the district. During his presentation, Deputy Commissioner D Randeep has sought Rs 32.26 Crore from the Centre towards drought relief works in the district which also includes Rs 16.50 Crore for Rabi crop loss, Rs 60 Lakh for supplying drinking water through tankers for 17 villages in 74 trips, Rs 4.02 Crore towards future requirement to supply drinking water to 124 villages, Rs 5.25 Crore towards infrastructure restoration works, Rs 3.35 Crore for purchase and transport of fodder for animals, Rs 1.44 Crore for purchase of medicines and nutritional supplement for animals and Rs 1.10 Crore for fodder mini kits.
Later, Shrivastava said, “The district has been reeling under drought and farmers are majorly affected by it. Lack of drinking water and fodder are other major causes of concern. The impact of deficit rainfall during the Rabi season was not restricted to only four months but will continue for the rest of the months as well. I am worried to see even mango and coconut crops have been affected owing to the lack of moisture in the soil.” On the occasion, he also appreciated the state and district administration for tackling drought situation across the state by providing the much needed drinking water to people and fodder to domestic animals.
The central committee headed by Shrivastava toured Jettihundi and Jayapura in Mysuru taluk, Chamanahalli and Hampapura in H D Kote taluk and Alanahalli in Hunsur taluk. The team then left for Hassan in the afternoon.
ZP CEO P Shivashankar, ADC T Venkatesh, Department of Agriculture Joint Director Somasundar and ZP Member Beerihundi Basavanna were also present.
