Central team visits Hassan farms

An inter-ministerial Central team headed by Sudam Bag, Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, New Delhi, visited drought-hit farms in Hassan taluk on Saturday.

Team inspects maize fields and meets farmers

The team inspected maize fields and interacted with farmers at Dudda, Kittinakere, Gowripura, Chikkakadaluru and neighbouring villages to assess the impact of drought on crops in the district.

Farmers describe total crop failure

At Dudda, the team visited farms of Javarayya and Dyavamma and collected details of losses in maize and ragi and effects on coconut yield. Farmers said crops were wiped out due to rain failure.

“The maize had not formed grain, and what remained in the fields was not even fit to be used as cattle fodder.”

Lok Sabha member briefs the team

Hassan Lok Sabha member Shreyas Patel met the team and apprised its members of the hardship the drought has caused farmers in the district.

Team composition and next steps

The team included Ashish Pandey, Deputy Adviser, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation; Pradeep Kumar, Under Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution; and Karan Chaudhar, Deputy Director, Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre.

Team to visit more taluks on Sunday

On Sunday, the team will visit parts of Arasikere and Holenarsipur taluks to continue assessing drought impact across Hassan district.