Delayed, Deficit Rainfall to Cut 25% Foodgrain Production in Karnataka

New Delhi/Bengaluru: Foodgrain production in Karnataka is very likely to record a decline of 25% this year following delayed, deficit rainfall activities in the state, said Dr GS Srinivasa Reddy, Director, Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre speaking in the national capital on Tuesday.

Earlier, according to the state government’s estimates, sowing for food grains production would have completed on an area of 73 lakh hectares however; the area sown has reached just 60 lakh hectares as on mid September following delayed, deficit monsoon showers, he pointed out.

In the last summer season, foodgrain output in the state was touched 98.17 lakh tons and based on the figures government had estimated 100.80 lakh ton foodgrain production in the next summer season. However, delayed monsoons, deficit rainfall have reduced the production target by 25%.

Karnataka state has witnessed 5% decline in monsoon showers in June, 2017 followed by a 38% rainfall deficit in July. However, higher than expected rainfall during August and September created confidence among the farmers and prevented further decline in the estimates made for foodgrain output. Malenadu and coastal Karnataka have witnessed rainfall deficit this rainy season, he pointed out.