Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara inspecting crops affected by drought during his visit to Koppal district on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday toured Koppal district and inspected crop damage caused by the prevailing drought in Koppal, Yelburga and Kushtagi taluks.
Accompanied by Koppal Lok Sabha member K. Rajshekhar Hitnal and MLA K. Raghavendra Hitnal, Mr. Parameshwara began his drought assessment tour at Vanaballari village in Koppal taluk. He inspected maize and tur crops in the field of farmer Shivappa Mudukappa Goudra and tur and horse gram crops in the fields of B. Krishnamurthy and D. Hosalli Seema.
He later visited Gunnal village in Yelburga taluk, where he inspected the tur crop in the field of Mahesh Hanumanthayya and the maize crop in the field of Channabasavva Eshappa Ullagaddi.
The Deputy Chief Minister subsequently visited Nandapur village in Kushtagi taluk and inspected the tur crop in the field of farmer Karadappa Channabasappa. Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal and Agriculture Department officials briefed him on the extent of crop damage.
Farmers seek compensation
Farmers told the Deputy Chief Minister that crops had failed due to the lack of rainfall. They said the crops had not developed properly and grains had failed to form because of the prolonged dry spell. They urged the government to provide adequate compensation for the crop losses.
Speaking to media representatives during the visit, Mr. Parameshwara said the drought situation in the State had become severe and farmers were facing distress as crops had suffered extensive damage.
He said he was touring Koppal and other districts to personally assess the severity of the drought and the difficulties faced by farmers.
Of the State’s 240 taluks, 217 had already been declared drought-hit, he said. The drought situation was more severe in Koppal and neighbouring northern Karnataka districts such as Vijayanagara, Ballari and Raichur than in the Mysuru region, he added.
Vijayanagara district had suffered crop damage of around 98%, according to the Deputy Chief Minister. Crops across Koppal district too had been damaged due to the lack of rainfall, he said.
Describing the situation as one of the worst droughts faced by the State, Mr. Parameshwara said farmers were finding it difficult to repay loans and were under severe financial stress.
“The State government is giving priority to drought management and ensuring drinking water supply. Steps are also being taken to provide wage employment to affected farmers and rural households, apart from ensuring that crop insurance compensation reaches farmers who have lost their crops due to the drought,” he said.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Varnith Negi, Superintendent of Police Sahil Bagla, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sidrameshwar, Joint Director of Agriculture G.D. Krishnamurthy, Joint Director of Horticulture Krishna Ukkund, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr. P.M. Mallaiah and other officials accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister.
Published – October 08, 2026 07:13 pm IST
