Mysuru: With the state govt declaring eight taluks of Mysuru district and all five of Chamarajanagar district drought-hit, farmers’ associations have stepped up their demand for compensation for crop damage in the twin districts.Mysuru district recorded 53% rainfall deficit in Aug, while Chamarajanagar recorded 56% scarcity during the same month.According to the initial survey, Chamarajanagar had crop loss on 39,700 hectares. In Mysuru, the damage was across 57,078 hectares.Except Periyapatna, the remaining eight taluks — T Narasipura, Nanjangud, Hunsur, K R Nagar, Saligrama, Mysuru, H D Kote and Saragaru — have been declared drought-hit in Mysuru district. All five taluks of Chamarajanagar district — Hanur, Gundlupet, Yelandur, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal — were declared drought-hit.As crops sown during the kharif season were withering due to shortage of rain and recorded stunted growth, farmers were struggling to arrange fodder for livestock.Even though the respective district administrations advised farmers that fodder from paddy, maize, wheat, ragi, bajra, groundnut, millets and pulses could be conserved for livestock, drought and pest infestation affected maize and paddy cultivation.Mysuru district needs 22 lakh tonnes of fodder monthly for its 9.5 lakh livestock population.Chamarajanagar district has a livestock population of 3.6 lakh and needs 11.5 lakh tonnes of fodder every month.The department of animal and husbandry sciences clarified that farmers currently have enough fodder stocked, but the situation may worsen after Oct if the current drought situation continues.K H Ravi, the joint director of agriculture (Mysuru), said the department is conducting a joint survey after the state govt declared eight taluks drought-hit, with officials doing spot-inspections and estimating crop loss.To offset the current situation, fodder seeds were being distributed free by the ministry to farmers across the district.Speaking to TOI, Chamarajanagar deputy commissioner Srirupa said directions were issued to officials to conduct a joint survey to assess the extent of crop damage and recommend the govt release of compensation for farmers.
