Kalaburagi: A severe rain deficit has dealt a heavy blow to red gram and cotton farmers in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts, leaving thousands of farming families grappling with crop losses, mounting debt and an uncertain future.Farmers who sowed crops in anticipation of a normal monsoon and a good harvest have been left devastated as inadequate rainfall dried up fields across large parts of the two districts. With crops failing to mature and yields collapsing, many growers are staring at near-total losses.Having invested heavily in seeds, fertilisers and pesticides at the start of the season, farmers had pinned their hopes on a bumper harvest to recover costs and support their families. Instead, the failed monsoon has left them without adequate returns, pushing many deeper into financial distress.The crisis has been compounded by cultivation expenses and outstanding loans. Farmers say arranging funds for the next cropping season has become a daunting task, with many struggling even to meet household expenses.The impact is also being felt beyond crop fields. In several villages, farmers dependent solely on agriculture are reportedly selling cattle and bullocks, traditionally considered vital assets for farming operations, to sustain their families. The distress sale of livestock underscores the worsening rural crisis triggered by consecutive weeks of scanty rainfall.With agriculture no longer providing a reliable source of income, many families are looking to towns and cities for work. The growing trend of migration has raised concerns about its long-term impact on rural communities and local economies that depend heavily on agriculture.Farmer leaders have urged the govt to step in with immediate relief measures. Speaking to TOI, Karnataka Pranth Raitha Sangha president Sharanabasappa Mamshetty called on officials from the Agriculture and Revenue departments to conduct field visits and assess the extent of crop damage.He demanded a comprehensive survey of affected areas and timely compensation for eligible farmers as per govt norms. Mamshetty also sought employment opportunities and additional support measures for distressed farmers, arguing that immediate intervention is essential to prevent further hardship and enable them to continue agricultural activities in the coming season.
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