Central team assesses drought impact in Vijayanagara district

A three-member Central drought assessment team, on Monday, visited villages in Harapanahalli and Huvina Hadagali taluks of the Vijayanagara district to assess crop losses, drinking water availability, and rural employment amid deficient rainfall.

The team, led by senior Union government official Ajit Kumar Sahu and comprising Colonel Amarendra Singh and Chet Ram Meena, interacted with farmers, agricultural labourers and villagers to assess the ground situation. Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S. Mannikeri briefed the team on the deficient rainfall, crop damage, drinking water availability and employment situation.

At Neelagunda lake, the team inspected desilting work being carried out under the VB-G RAM G scheme and interacted with 416 workers employed on the project. Most workers said they were landless and dependent on wage labour. They said irregular employment under the rural job guarantee programme often forced them to migrate to coffee estates in search of work. Some also complained of delays in wage payments.

At Maidur village, the team inspected a borewell and spoke to residents about drinking water shortages.

At Ittigi, the team visited farmer Rudrappa Baligar’s three-acre maize field. Mr. Baligar said he had spent around ₹60,000 on the crop and expected an income of ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh, but the crop had been almost completely damaged due to inadequate rainfall.

Farmers urged the team to increase the announced compensation from ₹2,500 per acre to ₹60,000 per acre based on a scientific assessment of crop losses. They also raised concerns over pending crop insurance claims despite having paid premiums.

The team inspected onion fields belonging to Sakamma at Ittigi and onion and sunflower fields cultivated by farmer Kotresh at Maidur. It also stopped at farms in Shringara Thota and Kanavihalli to assess maize crops and interact with farmers.

Officials accompanying the team included Zilla Panchayat CEO Garima Panwar, Additional Deputy Commissioner P.N. Lokesh and senior agriculture and horticulture officials.