State declaration follows severe rainfall deficit; farmers press for relief
Mysuru: The state government has declared eight taluks of Mysuru district and all five taluks of Chamarajanagar district as drought-hit after a sharp shortfall in monsoon rains and initial damage assessments showed extensive crop losses, local officials reported. The move has intensified demands from farmers’ associations for immediate compensation and relief measures.
Government figures show a significant deficiency in August rainfall for both districts: Mysuru recorded a 53% deficit while Chamarajanagar recorded a 56% deficit. Initial joint surveys estimate crop loss on 57,078 hectares in Mysuru and 39,700 hectares in Chamarajanagar.
- Declared drought-hit taluks in Mysuru district: T. Narasipura, Nanjangud, Hunsur, K R Nagar, Saligrama, Mysuru, H D Kote and Saragur (Periyapatna excluded).
- Declared drought-hit taluks in Chamarajanagar district: Hanur, Gundlupet, Yelandur, Chamarajanagar and Kollegal.
- Major concern: stunted kharif crops and fodder shortage for livestock.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara visited drought-affected areas in both districts on Wednesday, according to the reporting. Agriculture department teams have been conducting spot inspections and joint surveys to estimate the extent of crop damage as part of the relief assessment process.
"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."
Authorities emphasised short-term measures to mitigate immediate distress. Fodder-seed distribution has been initiated free to farmers across affected areas, while district administrations have advised that fodder can be conserved from crops such as paddy, maize, wheat, ragi, bajra, groundnut, millets and pulses. However, officials cautioned that pest infestation and drought had already damaged maize and paddy in many parts, reducing available stubble and green fodder.
| District | Estimated crop loss (hectares) | Livestock population | Monthly fodder requirement (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru | 57,078 | 9.5 lakh | 22 lakh tonnes |
| Chamarajanagar | 39,700 | 3.6 lakh | 11.5 lakh tonnes |
Joint director of agriculture (Mysuru), K H Ravi, said the department is carrying out spot-inspections and compiling estimates as part of the joint survey following the state notification declaring taluks drought-hit. Farmers’ associations have urged the state to expedite compensation for crop losses and provide extended support for livestock owners facing fodder shortages.
District administrations have been issuing advisories to conserve fodder from standing and harvested crops. Nevertheless, officials acknowledge that the present stocks may not be adequate if dry conditions persist beyond October. The animal husbandry clarification highlighted that while current fodder stocks appear sufficient, the situation remains precarious if the drought continues.
Local stakeholders, including panchayat representatives and farmer leaders, have called for prompt disbursal of relief, supply of fodder at subsidised rates and access to subsidised loans to cover rabi sowing and recovery. The scale of the declared damage — more than 96,000 hectares across both districts by initial estimates — underlines the potential long-term impact on rural incomes and livestock maintenance if remedial action is delayed.
Officials said further assessments will inform state-level decisions on compensation and rehabilitation packages. Meanwhile, distribution of fodder seeds and on-ground relief operations have been prioritised in the affected taluks.
