Dharwad: Farmers in Dharwad district have completed nearly 80% of the sowing of rain-fed kharif crops such as groundnut, green gram, black gram, soybean, paddy, cotton and sugarcane. However, due to inadequate monsoon rainfall, the germinated crops are drying up, creating drought-like conditions.As a result, the expenses incurred on fertilisers, seeds and sowing are becoming an additional burden on farmers. The JD(U) has therefore demanded that the state govt and the Centre announce a special relief package to protect farmers from financial distress. On Wednesday, a delegation of farmers led by JD(U) district president Shrishailgouda Kamatar met DC Snehal R and submitted a memorandum.The memorandum stated that if farmers, who provide food for the nation, continue to face repeated setbacks, it will become increasingly difficult for them to survive. In view of the situation, the farmers have urged the Union and state govts to immediately constitute a special team to assess the crop situation and announce a relief package, including assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare.The party also demanded that banks be directed to provide crop loans without considering CIBIL scores or other eligibility criteria. It further urged the district administration to convene a meeting of farmers’ representatives to take appropriate remedial measures.
