Karnataka government disburses ₹1,033.60 crore input subsidy to farmers affected by Monsoon excesses
Bengaluru
Responding to widespread crop losses caused by heavy rains and floods during this year’s monsoon, the Karnataka government has announced a special relief package of ₹1,033.60 crore as additional input subsidy for farmers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the disbursement from his official residence at Krishnadevaraya Bhavan.
The subsidy will directly benefit 14.24 lakh farmers whose crops were damaged, with payments being credited to their bank accounts. The government has increased input subsidy rates for affected crops, limited to a maximum of two hectares per farmer. Rainfed crops will now receive between ₹8,500 and ₹17,000 per hectare, irrigated crops between ₹17,500 and ₹25,500, and multi-crop farms between ₹22,500 and ₹31,000 per hectare.
According to SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) norms, ₹1,218.03 crore has already been distributed as input subsidy. With the additional top-up of ₹1,033.60 crore from the state, a total of ₹2,251.63 crore will be directly credited to farmers’ accounts, including pending relief payments.
This year, 82.56 lakh hectares were sown during the monsoon, but heavy rains between June and September resulted in crop damage over more than 14.58 lakh hectares, with estimated losses of ₹10,748 crore. Major damage was reported in pulses (5.36 lakh ha), oilseeds (2.63 lakh ha), cotton (2.68 lakh ha), and maize (1.21 lakh ha). Districts including Dharwad, Gadag, and Haveri witnessed severe crop destruction due to heavy rainfall during the podding stage. Continuous inflow in Krishna and Bhima river basins also caused extensive damage to pulses and cotton in Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Bidar districts.
The government conducted joint surveys to accurately assess losses, consolidating data in dedicated relief software integrated with land and crop information. Village-wise lists of affected farmers have been published both offline and online, inviting objections before finalizing the beneficiary list for direct subsidy transfer.
Additionally, the Chief Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 17, requesting ₹614.90 crore for input subsidy and ₹ 1,521.67 crore under PDNA for recovery and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. A central government inter-ministerial team has also been constituted to visit Karnataka for on-ground verification of crop losses.