K'taka loses Rs 1,387 cr farm crops due to drought, floods

BANGALORE: The Karnataka government is estimated to have lost about Rs 1,387 crore worth of Kharif crops like paddy and pulses due to drought and excess rain in some districts of the state.

"The crop loss due to floods and drought is together estimated to be Rs 1,387 crore during the 2009-10 Kharif season," a state government official said.

The drought has damaged Rs 871 crore worth of crop, while excess rain have affected Rs 516 crore of both agricultural and horticultural crops in the state, he said, adding that paddy, jowar, bajra and pulses like green gram and black gram are most affected crops.

"A central team is expected to be in the state tomorrow to study the drought situation. We have sought a central assistance of Rs 394 crore and Rs 317 crore to tackle both drought and floods, respectively, in the state," the official said.

He further said that the impact of drought has been severe in the state as 16,00,000 hectare of crop area has suffered due to paucity of water, while excess rain have affected 1,34,926 hectare of agricultural crops and 23,000 hectare of horticultural crops, he added.

Over 10,000 hectare of paddy area has suffered badly due to heavy rain and drought. The state has planted paddy in 7.05 lakh hectare, below the government's target of 10.50 lakh hectare, according to official data.

Farmers in Karnataka have sown Kharif crops in much as 66.38 lakh hectare, it said.