Chikkamagaluru: Chikkamagaluru district recorded a 35% rainfall deficit between June 1 and Aug 22, receiving only 791.1mm against the normal 1,210.2mm.Ajjampura recorded the highest deficit in the district at 47%, followed by Kadur and Tarikere at 38% each, Kalasa at 29%, and Mudigere and NR Pura at 23% each.Though Chikkamagaluru taluk recorded 58% excess rainfall on average, there was wide variation at the hobli level. While Jagar hobli received 24% excess rainfall and Vastare 11% excess, six other hoblis faced severe deficits, including Lakya at 49% and Khandya and Avathi at 57% each.Deputy commissioner Bhanwar Singh Meena said based on requests from farmer organisations and elected representatives, it has been decided to declare Chikkamagaluru taluk drought-hit.The agriculture department’s sowing target was 97,045 hectares, but only 23,332 hectares (24%) had been sown till Aug 22. In Kadur taluk, only 6% of the target was achieved.A joint survey with insurance company representatives will be conducted and a report submitted to govt to ensure compensation for eligible farmers who have paid the premium, he said.The district has achieved a historic high in crop insurance enrolment this year following awareness campaigns. Under agriculture crop insurance, only up to 10,000 farmers enrolled during the last eight years. This year, 36,540 farmers enrolled, nearly five times as many.Under horticulture crop insurance, enrolment increased to 65,608 farmers this year from 44,905 last year, he added.Of the district’s 242 telemetric rain gauge machines, those that had stopped functioning due to technical faults have been repaired and 237 are now active. This will ensure accurate rainfall recording and help farmers get insurance compensation, the DC said.
