Bengaluru, Aug. 26 -- Karnataka is preparing to declare drought and approach the Centre for relief as a 31 per cent rainfall deficit leaves farmers battling crop losses on one hand and collapsing market prices on the other, exposing a widening agrarian distress across the State.
The Agriculture Department has already inspected 175 taluks affected by inadequate rainfall, crop damage and failed sowing, and has compiled a report based on field assessments and interactions with farmers. The State government is now examining the report and is expected to submit a proposal to the Centre by the end of August.
The drought situation has created a peculiar double burden for farmers -- those unable to sow are staring at barren fields, while those wh...