The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): In a stark revelation, Karnataka’s foodgrain production, encompassing both cereals and pulses, is projected to experience a significant downturn this year, with an estimated reduction of 31 lakh tonnes compared to last year’s output. This alarming decline primarily affects paddy, the state’s staple grain, which is expected to plummet from 65 lakh tonnes to a mere 38 lakh tonnes.
The dire forecast is primarily due to diminished water levels in the Tungabhadra and Kaveri river basins, which are essential for paddy cultivation. The state government has been compelled to restrict agricultural activities across 4 lakh hectares within these vital basins, leading to the sharpest decrease in paddy harvest Karnataka has witnessed in more than a decade.
This year, Karnataka anticipated harvesting 129 lakh tonnes of cereals and pulses. However, this figure saw a boost to 143 lakh tonnes last year, but current estimations suggest a fall to 112 lakh tonnes for this cycle.
While a few crops like jowar, tur, and Bengal gram might see an uptick in production, the majority, including essential cereals like ragi, are expected to suffer due to this year’s shortfall in rainfall. The University of Agriculture Sciences, Raichur, highlighted the adverse impact of erratic weather patterns on the kharif and rabi seasons, significantly affecting farmers and state production levels.
Farmers attempting to adapt by shifting to less water-intensive crops, such as green gram, have encountered disappointing results. The lack of sufficient water supply from reservoirs like Tungabhadra has thwarted their efforts, resulting in yields far below expectations.
The oilseed sector is not spared either, with predictions indicating a drop from last year’s 14 lakh tonnes to approximately 10 lakh tonnes this year. This production slump threatens to increase household expenses and poses challenges to the state’s Anna Bhagya scheme, which aims to provide subsidized food grains to the needy.
Despite these challenges, the Karnataka Agriculture Department remains optimistic, hoping to narrow the foodgrain production gap in subsequent estimates. Officials have devised contingency plans for farmers to mitigate losses and explore alternative crops. The state government is also committed to stabilizing the prices of essential food grains to prevent any drastic inflation.
As Karnataka grapples with this impending agricultural crisis, efforts are underway to ensure food security and support the farming community through these testing times.