Mysuru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has directed officials not to pressurise farmers in Mysuru district to repay loans amid a drought-like situation caused by poor rainfall and crop losses. He also instructed authorities to ensure that eligible farmers are covered under crop insurance schemes and that those who have suffered crop losses receive compensation.
Kumaraswamy issued the directions while chairing the District Development Co-ordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the Zilla Panchayat Hall in Mysuru. The meeting reviewed several development-related issues in the district, with the situation faced by farmers emerging as one of the major concerns.
According to officials, Mysuru district has recorded a significant rainfall deficit this year, affecting sowing, crop growth and agricultural output. The district administration has also declared eight taluks drought-hit, while a proposal has been sent to include Periyapatna taluk in the drought-hit list.
Mysuru records 47% rainfall deficit
Joint Director of Agriculture K.H. Ravi said Mysuru district had recorded a 47% rainfall deficit, creating serious difficulties for farmers across the district.
The shortage of rainfall has affected sowing and crop yields. According to Ravi, the district has achieved only around 50% of the targeted sowing so far.
Although approximately 23,000 hectares of agricultural land in the district is irrigated, crop yields have remained low because of inadequate water availability.
The rainfall shortage has also forced authorities to advise farmers to avoid cultivating paddy during the current season. Paddy requires considerable quantities of water, and officials had advised farmers well in advance to choose crops that would be more suitable under the prevailing conditions.
Despite the advisory, paddy has been cultivated on around 12,000 hectares in the district.
Officials are now concerned that inadequate water availability could further affect the crop and increase financial pressure on farmers who have already invested in cultivation.
Kumaraswamy stresses crop insurance coverage
Kumaraswamy directed officials to focus on ensuring that every eligible farmer is registered under the crop insurance scheme.
He also stressed that farmers who have already taken crop insurance should receive compensation for losses caused by crop damage.
The Union Minister’s direction comes at a time when farmers are facing financial pressure from multiple sides, including crop losses, reduced yields and uncertainty over the next agricultural season.
With agricultural income affected, repayment of existing loans can become an additional burden for farming families.
Kumaraswamy therefore asked officials not to put additional pressure on farmers for loan repayment during the current difficult situation.
Bank officials to discuss farmers’ loan burden
Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy said a meeting of bank officials would soon be convened to discuss the situation.
The meeting is expected to focus on the difficulties faced by farmers in repaying loans amid crop losses and inadequate rainfall.
Coordination between the district administration, banks and agriculture officials will be important in ensuring that eligible farmers receive appropriate assistance and are not subjected to undue pressure during the drought-like situation.
The administration’s approach is also expected to take into account the crop insurance coverage of individual farmers and the extent of losses recorded through official assessments.
Joint survey to assess crop losses
Agriculture officials have planned a joint survey to determine the extent of crop losses in the district.
K.H. Ravi said the survey report would be submitted to the Government after assessing the damage.
Officials have been specifically instructed to record details such as the survey number, area under cultivation and crop-wise loss during the assessment.
Such information will help authorities determine the extent of agricultural damage and provide a clearer basis for considering compensation and other relief measures.
The assessment is particularly important because the impact of the rainfall deficit is not uniform across all areas or crops. A detailed survey can provide information on the actual losses suffered by individual farmers and agricultural areas.
Farmers advised against water-intensive paddy
The agriculture department’s concerns have been particularly strong regarding paddy cultivation.
Paddy is among the crops that require substantial quantities of water, making it a difficult choice during a season of deficient rainfall.
Farmers had been advised against cultivating paddy this season because of the shortage of water. However, around 12,000 hectares have already been planted with the crop.
With only about half of the targeted sowing completed across the district and water availability remaining uncertain, officials are keeping a close watch on agricultural conditions.
Low yields could further increase the financial burden on farmers, particularly those who have borrowed money for cultivation.
Drought situation extends across eight taluks
The Deputy Commissioner said eight taluks in Mysuru district had been declared drought-hit.
Periyapatna taluk, which was initially left out, has also been affected by the drought-like conditions. The district administration has therefore submitted a proposal seeking its inclusion in the drought-hit list.
The declaration of drought-hit areas can help the administration undertake relief and mitigation measures based on government guidelines.
The current situation has also made water management and crop planning important priorities for the district.
Legacy waste disposal reviewed
The DISHA meeting also reviewed the issue of legacy waste at the Vidyaranyapuram solid waste treatment plant.
Mysuru City Corporation Executive Engineer Mrutyunjaya said a tender had been invited for the disposal of 6 lakh tonnes of solid waste at the plant.
So far, approximately 4.80 lakh tonnes of waste has been disposed of. However, the addition of fresh waste has resulted in the backlog crossing 2 lakh tonnes.
The Deputy Commissioner directed MCC officials to submit a proposal seeking additional funds under the Swachh Bharat Mission for the disposal of the remaining legacy waste.
The issue remains important for Mysuru as the city continues to deal with accumulated waste and the need for sustainable waste management infrastructure.
MPs seek faster completion of infrastructure projects
The meeting also covered several infrastructure projects in Mysuru district.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar urged officials to speed up ongoing flyover works in the city.
He specifically highlighted the flyover near the APMC yard on Nanjangud Road and said its early completion would help improve traffic movement.
Chamarajanagar MP Sunil Bose sought the early completion of the Kurubur and Mugur bridges in Mysuru district.
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of fatal road accidents and urged authorities to take steps to prevent accidents.
Several elected representatives and senior officials participated in the meeting.
Mysuru Airport runway expansion awaits security clearance
The proposed expansion of the Mysuru Airport runway was another major issue discussed during the meeting.
National Highways Authority of India Planning Director Sirish Gangadhar said a proposal had been submitted to the Union Government seeking security clearance for the runway expansion.
The airport expansion will require the construction of a 3-km alternative road on Nanjangud Road.
A Detailed Project Report worth ₹570 crore has been prepared for land acquisition and construction of the alternative road.
According to the NHAI official, the land acquisition process will begin after the Centre provides the required security clearance.
The alternative road is expected to be constructed after completion of the land acquisition process.
Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway work progresses
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway project.
Sirish Gangadhar said approximately 50% of the 62-km stretch had been completed.
The entire project is expected to be completed within a year, according to the update provided at the meeting.
The highway project is considered significant for improving connectivity between Mysuru and Kushalnagar and strengthening road infrastructure in the region.
The official also said the flyover at the Manipal Hospitals junction was expected to be completed by December 2027.
Focus on farmer relief and development
The DISHA meeting brought together discussions on agriculture, infrastructure, waste management and major development projects.
However, the situation faced by farmers remained a key concern, particularly because of the 47% rainfall deficit and the resulting crop losses.
Kumaraswamy’s direction to officials not to pressurise farmers over loan repayment comes against the backdrop of concerns about agricultural distress.
Ensuring crop insurance coverage and timely compensation will be important in helping affected farmers manage their financial difficulties.
At the same time, the proposed crop-loss survey will provide the Government with more detailed information about the impact of inadequate rainfall across the district.
Conclusion
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has asked officials not to pressurise farmers in Mysuru district for loan repayment amid a drought-like situation caused by poor rainfall and crop losses. He also directed authorities to ensure that eligible farmers are registered under crop insurance schemes and that insured farmers receive compensation for crop losses.
Mysuru has recorded a 47% rainfall deficit, while only around 50% of the targeted sowing has been completed. Eight taluks have been declared drought-hit, and the administration has sought the inclusion of Periyapatna taluk as well.
A joint survey will be conducted to assess crop losses, with officials instructed to record survey numbers, cultivated areas and crop-wise damage. The district administration will also convene a meeting with bank officials to discuss the difficulties faced by farmers.
The DISHA meeting also reviewed major infrastructure and civic projects, including the disposal of 6 lakh tonnes of legacy waste, the ₹570-crore alternative road linked to Mysuru Airport runway expansion and progress on the Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway.
With rainfall remaining deficient and agricultural output under pressure, timely crop-loss assessment, insurance compensation and a sensitive approach towards loan recovery will be crucial in supporting Mysuru’s farming community.