Government will discuss with insurance companies on maize crop hit by white grub disease not getting cover: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwera

Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara, who conducted a drought assessment at Kattemalalavadi village in Hunsur taluk on Tuesday (September 1), said maize crops had been affected by white grub disease, which was not covered under crop insurance. The government will discuss the issue with insurance companies and explore measures to provide relief to affected farmers, he said.

Nod for cloud seeding

Responding to questions on cloud seeding, Dr. Parameshwara said the government had given instructions to undertake the exercise, and the technical team was making preparations. “According to the technical report, heavy rainfall cannot be expected. It may result only in light rainfall, but this could be sufficient for crops. We have therefore agreed to proceed with it,” he said.

Relief for tobacco growers

Hunsur and Periyapatna taluks are major tobacco-growing areas, but Hunsur alone has suffered crop losses over more than 16,000 hectares this year, the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Since the Centre’s norms do not provide compensation for commercial crops such as tobacco, the government will examine whether assistance can be provided under a State-specific mechanism. “I will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and the Cabinet after completing the drought assessment, and a decision will be taken on what assistance can be extended to farmers,” he said.

Dr. Parameshwara noted that if 16,000 hectares had suffered losses in one taluk, similar conditions prevailed in six neighbouring taluks as well, making it necessary for the government to make a decision.

G.D. Harish Gowda, Hunsur MLA, Ravishankar, K.R. Nagar MLA, H.P. Manjunath, former MLA, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, the tahsildar and agriculture officials were present.