The Hindu Business Line : Taluk-level consultation centres for farmers

The scheme is designed to improve agricultural practices for better yield and faster development of farmers, Government officials said. Under the scheme, the Government will set up a Raita Samparka Kendra at each taluk, which will offer consultation and advice on cropping patterns at very nominal charges.

The centres will also advise on various agriculture problems faced by farmers, like soil, seed testing and water management, fertiliser and micro nutrient management. Other services like distribution and sales of bio fertilisers, integrated pest control, intercropping sales ad distribution of agriculture inputs and implements will also be offered. The kendras would also offer crop insurance and were in the process of tying up with general insurers, officials said.

The new initiative is likely to help farmers grappling with drought-like situation and a political stand-off on Cauvery water release.

According to the officials, the new centres could play a "decisive role" in advising farmers on crop management in the current scenario.

Karnataka's production of sugarcane and oil seeds is likely to be severely affected in the wake of weak monsoon, the Government officials said. "We are cautiously monitoring the situation," officials of the State Agriculture Department said.

Corroborating their statement, a study from the economic research wing of Credit Rating Information and Services Ltd (Crisil) said that the drought was likely to affect coarse cereals and oilseeds. Karnataka accounted for 7.45 per cent to total national production in the last financial year. Almost 56 per cent of Karnataka have experienced scanty showers.

Other crops like rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton and groundnuts that are harvested in October and November and account for half of the annual production will also be impacted.

The winter crops of wheat, barley and mustard, which were harvested in March and depend on irrigation, may also be affected as wells had gone dry, the Crisil report said.

The study also pointed out that production of tur in Karnataka would be severely impacted.

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