Dharwad: Based on the drought report given by the state government seeking funds to pay compensation to farmers and to rejuvenate agriculture fields, a central drought team will be visiting Dharwad district on November 17, said ZP CEO Sateesh.He was speaking at a KDP progress review meeting here on Wednesday.The central team will be headed by IAS officer Mahesh and will include ORK Reddy and Neeta Tahialiani and others.The team will arrive in the district at 9:15 am on Saturday and visit several drought hit areas.Sateesh said Navalgund and Kundgol have been declared drought-hit and the team would visit these taluks to inspect crop loss and the situation prevailing here. Not only kharif crops, but rabi crops sown here have started to wither.Agriculture officials said Dharwad taluk has recorded 80% rabi sowing with a large number of farmers opting for bengal gram and jowar. In Kundgol, 50% sowing has been completed and farmers here too have opted for bengal gram and jowar. However, due to no rain, the crops have started to wither.Only the crops grown along the Malaprabha Right Bank Canal (MRBC) have sustained the harsh weather.Responding to this, Sateesh said all efforts would be made by the administration to inform the plight of the farmers and the condition of rabi crops to the visiting team. He asked officials to be prepared with all the required information regarding drought and immediate measures to be taken to tackle drought.ZP chief Chaitra Shirur said officials must focus on opening fodder banks. However, Sateesh said that before opening fodder banks, officials should study about the tender process, the quantity of fodder to be given to farmers and the price.Animal Husbandry officer Vishal Adallikar said the cattle vaccination for foot and mouth disease has been completed in the district. A majority of cattle suffering from the disease have been cured.Horticulture officials said that the department was generously funding for implementing drip-irrigation. Farmers willing to implement drip irrigation can avail a subsidy of 90% of the total cost. The department will soon invite applications for subsidy.

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