Uttara Kannada Records 24 Percent Rainfall Deficit, Farmers Advised to Grow Low Water Crops
District administration issues drought preparedness measures as rainfall remains below normal during the monsoon.
Karwar: Uttara Kannada district has recorded a 24 percent rainfall deficit so far during the current monsoon season, prompting the district administration to strengthen drought preparedness measures.
Chairing a review meeting on drought management and advance planning at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Karwar, District In charge Secretary Sushma Godbole directed Agriculture Department officials to encourage farmers to cultivate crops that require less water and have a shorter growing period.
She also instructed officials to ensure an uninterrupted supply of seeds and fertilizers so that farmers do not face shortages during the cultivation season.
To address the growing water crisis in Mundgod, Haliyal and Yellapur taluks, the administration has ordered the construction of farm ponds and the recharge of borewells. Officials were also directed to take steps to prevent drinking water shortages in rural areas and to install rainwater harvesting systems in government buildings.
During the meeting, the Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department informed officials that the district currently has a stock of 5.01 lakh tonnes of fodder, which is expected to meet the needs of livestock for the next 39 weeks.
Officials were also instructed to speed up crop insurance registrations so that eligible farmers receive compensation without delay in case of crop losses.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dilish Shashi, Karwar Deputy Conservator of Forests Anthony Mariappa, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla and other senior officials.