Raichur, Oct. 8 -- Karnataka is facing a severe drought, with crops cultivated by farmers being completely destroyed and leaving them in deep distress. Protecting farmers is our Government's first priority, and if necessary, we are prepared even to borrow funds to support them, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said on Thursday.

He was speaking during an interaction with farmers after visiting the farm of Nagamma Sharanegowda at Kalamangi village in Sindhanur taluk and inspecting the crop damage.

Of the State's 240 taluks, 217 have already been declared drought-affected, while the process of declaring around 10 more taluks drought-affected is underway. Except for four or five taluks in the coastal region, almost the entire State is f...