Karnataka government urged to declare drought, announce relief of ₹40,000 for each farmer

The State Sugarcane Growers’ Association criticised the government of Karnataka for delaying the declaration of drought despite a severe rainfall deficit across the State. The association demanded immediate compensation of ₹40,000 for every farmer affected by drought.

Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Association State President Kurubur Shanthakumar said nearly 50% of the State had received deficient rainfall, leading to acute shortage of drinking water and electricity. Farmers in several regions were unable to take up sowing, while crops that had already been sown had withered. Standing crops, such as sugarcane and banana, were drying up due to lack of irrigation, making the delay in declaring a drought a major setback for farmers.

The association demanded waiver of crop loans availed from nationalised, co-operative and private banks, on the lines of measures taken in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. It sought an immediate halt to loan recovery proceedings against farmers, and urged the government to direct banks to renew gold loans if farmers pay the interest during the drought period.

Mr. Shanthakumar appealed to farmers to participate in the Soil and Water Satyagraha, to be organised by the Gandhi Natural Farming Institute in Tumakuru from August 6 to 8, to create awareness about the importance of soil and water conservation.

He urged the State Government to celebrate this year’s Mysuru Dasara in a simple manner in view of the prevailing drought. Reiterating the association’s opposition to the inclusion of kambala in the Dasara festivities, he said the event should not be held this year.

The association demanded that the government announce the sugarcane procurement price for the 2026-27 crushing season before the commencement of crushing operations, and fix uniform harvesting and transportation charges.

It insisted that Bannari Sugar Factory clear the pending ₹50 per tonne additional cane price fixed by the State Government for the previous season before commencing crushing operations, warning that farmers would intensify their agitation if the dues remain unpaid.

State Organising Secretary Attahalli Devaraj and District General Secretary Baradanapura Nagaraj were among those present at the event.