Covid impact: Karnataka reduces foodgrain production target to 135 lakh tonnes

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has reduced the food grains production target from the already achieved 153 lakh tonne in 2020-21 to 135 lakh tonne for the year 2021-22.
Citing that the previous year’s production was 10 per cent over and above the previous fiscal of 2019-2020, the government is said to be setting a “realistic” target in light of the Covid-19 second wave hurting rural Karnataka heavily.
At a preparatory review meeting for agriculture preparation in light of the ensuing monsoon season, chief minister B S Yediyurappa directed officials to ensure there is enough and more fertilizer stock for farmers and prepare for any eventuality of flooding.
The agriculture department also said that as many as 690 agriculture equipment banks have been set up in 210 gram panchayat limits for giving it out on rent to farmers for sowing, tilling and reaping.
Meanwhile, the CM was apprised that as much as Rs 15.23 crore of the Rs 19 crore financial package for horticulture farmers, who have faced the brunt of the Covid second wave, has been deposited to the accounts of 36,327 beneficiaries.
The meteorological department has forecasted that the monsoon season will begin from June 6 or 7 and as many as 20 districts will receive the estimated rainfall and another 10 districts less than the estimations.