Pulses in four lakh hectares face crop damage in Karnataka due to relentless rains
Dharwad: Incessant rains have put Karnataka’s pulse crops, particularly green gram and black gram, at serious risk, threatening livelihoods across central and northern parts of the state.
According to Agriculture Department estimates, reported by Deccan Herald on Monday, crops sown across nearly four lakh hectares are under threat of damage as harvest season collides with heavy August showers.
Following early rains in mid-May, farmers in districts such as Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, Gadag, and Bagalkot had taken up early sowing of pulses. But what began as a promising season has now turned into a crisis, with widespread crop waterlogging and damage during a crucial harvest window.
During this kharif season, green gram was cultivated across 23.16 lakh hectares in Karnataka, with nearly 70% of the area concentrated in central and northern districts. In many areas, the crop is now standing in stagnant water, unable to be harvested. Black gram, grown over 11.46 lakh hectares statewide, with a sizable share also in the rain-affected regions, is similarly at risk. Officials estimate that up to 15% of the black gram crop may be damaged.
“Last year too, August rains ruined the harvest and we managed barely 50% yield. The situation is no different this year. Nearly 60% of the crop is standing in water and facing damage,” DH quoted Mallikarjun Hiremath, a farmer from Yadwad who has cultivated 20 acres of green gram and black gram, as saying.
Basangouda Malipatil, a farmer from Nargund, shared his distress over successive losses. He said the crops had been healthy and a bumper harvest was expected, but heavy rains in August wiped out everything. “It is harvest time, yet continuous rains are preventing us from even entering the fields,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the poor harvest outlook is already pushing up green gram prices in APMCs, where rates have surged to Rs 9,000 per quintal. Market experts anticipate further price hikes if the crop damage continues, the report added.
The situation isn’t limited to pulses. Soya and maize crops are also under threat, deepening concerns for Karnataka’s agrarian economy.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
