There seems to be no end to the woes of horticulture farmers, mainly grape growers. Already dealing with the consequences of successive droughts, they are facing another calamity – untimely rains.
The unseasoned rain, coupled with gusty winds, that the district witnessed in the last two days has caused substantial damage to the standing grape crop.
Though no assessment has been carried out so far, and officials, including K.B. Shivakumar, Deputy Commissioner, visited some affected areas on Thursday, sources say that the loss is considerable.
Besides direct consumption, over 50% of the total produce goes into production of raisins that have a higher demand in both domestic and international markets.
“The untimely rain has an adverse impact on production. It is a double whammy for farmers as we lose both the grapes and the raisins. At a time when we are struggling to recover from our previous losses, this new problem has only compounded our worries,” said Basagonda Muttappanavar, a grape grower. He added that the best periods for raisin production are the second week of February and the end of March. If climatic conditions change within this period, it sharply affects raisin production.
“Since the weather was conducive for raisin production, farmers were relieved. Now, however, many may lose both the crop and the revenue,” he said.
It may be noted that the Karnataka State Grape Growers’ Association has already been organising protests and demanding that the State and Union governments waive off loans borrowed by growers as they have incurred considerable losses over the last five years owing to drought.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar said he has already directed tahsildars of areas where losses have been reported to prepare a detailed report to be submitted to the government.
