Koppal, Oct. 8 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said the state government was prepared to borrow funds, if necessary, to provide relief to farmers affected by the worsening drought, as 217 of the state's 240 taluks have been declared drought-hit.

Parameshwara said protecting farmers was the government's first priority and that the state would take all possible measures to assist them.

He was speaking to the media after visiting and inspecting farmland at Gunnal village in Yelburga taluk.

"During recent inspections of drought conditions in Vijayapura and Ballari districts, it was found that 98% of crops in Vijayanagara district had been destroyed. Even the remaining two per cent is unlikely to reach farmers ...