Vijayapura district, renowned for contributing 80% of Karnataka’s lemon production, faces a significant setback as lemon cultivation witnesses a 30% decline over the past five years. The shift towards less water-intensive crops, exacerbated by drought conditions, compounds the issue.
Cultivation area reduction, from 12,168 hectares to 9,393 hectares, alongside a decrease in lemon production from 3,04,142 metric tonnes to 2,21,923 metric tonnes, reflects the severity of the situation. The ongoing drought has prompted officials from the Karnataka State Lime Development Board to estimate a 70% loss in lemon yields for 2023-24, initiating compensation measures for affected farmers.
The prized Kagzi lemon variety, recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, boasts superior qualities, yet inadequate government support in marketing and depleting groundwater resources prompt farmers to switch to crops like grapes, sapotas, and mangoes, requiring less water.
Farmers like Sangangouda Patil of Nad Kedi village recount the challenges, emphasizing the need for governmental intervention. Despite efforts by the Karnataka State Lime Development Board, including infrastructure development and subsidies, the crisis persists.
Officials emphasize the importance of water harvesting schemes and infrastructure improvements to mitigate water scarcity and boost lemon production. However, farmers stress the urgency of canal water access and the necessity to address reservoir water release issues, urging government support to revitalize lemon cultivation.
