Karnataka - Bangalore   

Unprecedented loss for horticultural sector

BANGALORE: The horticulture sector in Karnataka has suffered its biggest loss so far due to untimely rainfall in March. The Horticulture Department has estimated the loss to be Rs. 500 crore of which the grape growers have been the worst hit.

Among the fruits and vegetables that were damaged in the rainfall received between March 12 and March 26 include chilli, watermelon, musk melon, banana, papaya, cashew, cucumber, tomatoes and onions, besides grapes. While grape cultivators have suffered losses of Rs. 350 crore, chilli farmers have lost around Rs. 100 crore and cashew around Rs. 25 crore. More than Rs. 5 crore loss has been reported in other fruits and vegetables.

The Horticulture Department Director, Ramakrishnappa, told presspersons here on Wednesday that the final assessment is yet to be completed though they have already submitted a preliminary loss estimate to the Government. “We have not witnessed such huge losses in horticulture sector so far. In many places, entire grape orchards have been damaged,” he added.

In a report submitted to the Government, the department has said that rains affected crops standing on 30,544 hectares following which over 8,200 quintals of fruits and vegetables were lost. The report indicated that crop losses have not been reported in Bangalore Urban, Ramanagara, Kodagu, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar, Mandya, Mysore and Davangere districts.

Dr. Ramakrishnappa said: “Nearly 60 per cent of around 10,000 hectares under grape cultivation has been affected, especially in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga and Koppal districts. Chilli, both green and dry, in Bellary, Gadag and Haveri districts, have been affected.”

While the average rainfall received in the rain affected area in March is around 3 mm, these districts, mostly falling under drought-prone areas received around 100 mm, said the Deputy Director Krishna. “Losses to grape orchards could have been minimal if the rains had been delayed by about 10 days,” he added.

“In one instance, a grape grower in Belgaum district lost Rs. 4.5 crore, as the rains damaged grapes that were meant for drying,” the Additional Director Hittalmani said. Further, he said, though mango crop had not been affected, the quality of the crop will come down due to rains.

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