Rs 223 cr relief for farmers who suffered crop loss

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The State government on Friday declared a compensation of Rs 223 crore for farmers who had suffered crop loss, adding that Rs 74 crore of the same had been released.

Agriculture Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy made the announcement, adding that the affected ryots had cultivated pigeon peas, much of which had perished due to a blight.

Parts of north Karnataka and Kalyana-Karnataka had been badly hit by the disease. Districts such as Vijayapura, Yadgir and Kalaburagi were the worst affected.

Agrarian distress is a cause of concern for the State government since Karnataka has been facing a drought-like situation as well.