Crops damaged in hailstorms, say farmers

Farmers’ leaders have complained that the recent heavy rains and hailstorms have damaged crops in some northern Karnataka districts and demanded compensation.

Farmers cultivating grapes in Athani taluk, and vegetable and horticulture crops in Hukkeri in Belagavi district and some villages in Vijayapura district have suffered damage, Chunappa Pujari, Karnataka rajya raitha sangha leader, said.

Grape crops suffered greatly in Basavana Bagewadi, Kolhar, Mulawad, Tikota, Mudde Bihal and Nidagundi, Ittangihal and surrounding areas. In some villages, harvested crop left for drying was also destroyed. The farmers have suffered heavy losses, and the State government should compensate us, Abdul Rasheed Inamdar, grape growers’ association leader told reporters in Vijayapura.